The Grizzlies have released 25-year old shooting guard Lester Hudson. Hudson played in 9 games (0 starts) for the Grizzlies as a rookie last season and he averaged 6.8 minutes, 4.0 rebounds, 1.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. He played in 25 games (0 starts) overall for the Grizzlies & Celtics last season in which he averaged 5.2 minutes, 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. The Grizzlies shouldn’t miss Hudson too much as he was little more than a gunner off the bench.

The Grizzlies used the #25 overall pick on 21-year old shooting guard Dominique Jones out of South Florida and they then traded him to the Mavericks for cash considerations. Jones played in 95 games (94 starts) in three years at South Florida and he averaged 18.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. The Grizzlies probably should have kept Jones because he’s the kind of offensive player they need coming off the bench.

The Grizzlies have acquired 24-year old SG/SF Ronnie Brewer from the Jazz for a protected first round pick in the 2011 draft. Brewer played in 53 games (all starts) for the Jazz this season and he was averaging 31.4 minutes, 9.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He has now played in 266 games (223 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 26.4 minutes, 10.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. This was a great trade for the Grizzlies as Brewer will likely serve as the sixth man the rest of the year.

The Grizzlies have claimed 25-year old rookie shooting guard Lester Hudson off waivers from the Celtics. Hudson played in 16 games (0 starts) for the Celtics this season and he averaged 4.4 minutes, 1.4 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists. Hudson was a great offensive player at Tennessee-Martin in college so maybe he can help them off the bench.

The Grizzlies have signed 31-year old point guard Jamaal Tinsley. Tinsley last played in the NBA during the 2007-08 season for the Pacers. He missed last season because the Pacers just didn’t want him around which is pretty odd for a team to do. Tinsley has now played in 398 games (365 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 30.2 minutes, 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Tinsley was likely added to push Michael Conley for his starting job. Conley has played in 10 games (all starts) for the Grizzlies this season and he is averaging 30.2 minutes, 8.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game.

The Grizzlies have granted Allen Iverson a leave of absence for personal reasons. Iverson is once again showing how selfish he is by pouting because he’s not in the starting lineup. He has played in 3 games (0 starts) for the Grizzlies this season and he is averaging 22.3 minutes, 12.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. This will definately hurt the Grizzlies as they were counting on A.I. to give them offense off the bench this season. It will be interesting to see how willing the Grizzlies are to take back Iverson when he decides that he still wants to play. They could play hardball with him the same way the Knicks did with Stephon Marbury or they might try to trade him to a team that he can start for. It would be a shame to see Iverson’s career end this way as he still has the skill to help a team. Iverson has now played in 889 games (877 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 41.4 minutes, 27.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game.

UPDATE: Allen Iverson has been waived by the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies have invited 23-year old PG/SG Mike Taylor and 24-year old SG Thomas Gardner to training camp. Taylor was a rookie with the Clippers last season and he played in 51 games (5 starts) in which he averaged 15.1 minutes, 5.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Taylor should have a good shot of making the Grizzlies’ roster. Thomas Gardner played in 16 games (0 starts) for the Hawks last season and he averaged 6.1 minutes, 1.5 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game. He has now played in 20 games (0 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 7.1 minutes, 2.3 points, 0.6 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game. Gardner will be a long shot to make the Grizzlies.

The Memphis Grizzlies have gotten bigger and meaner on defense this off-season. It all started on draft night when the Grizzlies selected center Hasheem Thabeet in the first round. He will immediately give the Grizzlies a defensive presence in the paint which they lacked last season. Forwards DeMarre Carroll and Sam Young also give the Grizzlies some size inside. Zach Randolph was brought over in a trade with the Clippers and he will help out with solid rebounding and around 20 points per night. C Steven Hunter and PG Marcus Williams are both long shots to have any significant role for the Grizzlies this season. Quentin Richardson passed through town without ever wearing a Grizzlies’ uniform (went to Clippers for Randolph). PF Darko Milicic was traded to the Knicks but he’s really not much of a loss and he has never lived up to his potential. SF/SG Quinton Ross left as a free agent. Greg Buckner was traded to the Mavericks where he will reunite with Ross. SG Jerry Stackhouse was released shortly after being acquired by the Grizzlies.

OFF-SEASON GRADE FOR THE FRONT OFFICE SO FAR: B

The Grizzlies have signed 23-year old point guard Marcus Williams to a 1-year deal. Williams only played in 9 games (0 starts) for the Warriors last season and he averaged 6.0 minutes, 1.3 points, 0.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. He has now played in 141 games (9 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 15.8 minutes, 6.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Williams was once thought of in New Jersey to be the heir apparent to Jason Kidd but that didn’t work out to well for them. Williams has only shot 38.6% from the floor in his NBA career so don’t expect miracles out of him. But, he’s still young and has plenty of time to wake up.

The Grizzlies have acquired 27-year old center Steven Hunter and a first round pick in the 2010 NBA Draft from the Nuggets for a 2nd round pick. The Nuggets save $7.4 million bucks in this deal because of the luxury tax and it was worth a first round pick to them. Hunter did not play last season due to knee issues. He has now played in 379 games (130 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 15.4 minutes, 4.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 1.0 blocked shot per game. This was a good trade for the Grizzlies as it’s never a bad thing to get a 1st round pick in exchange for a 2nd rounder.