Grizzlies' Heisley Focused On Rebuilding Team, Not Selling It
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Heisley Lays Out Three-Year Goal
For Grizzlies Rebuilding Project |
Grizzlies Owner Michael Heisley participated in a Q&A with the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL's Ronald Tillery where he said he is "not involved in the sale of the team." Heisley: "I decided that I'm going to focus on the team. If we get a reasonable offer then we'll consider it. But I'm focused on rebuilding the team. I've taken myself out of that. There's always people sniffing around, saying would you sell us the team. But most of it is just wishful thinking on their part. There's nothing out there." Heisley said the target for getting the Grizzlies into the playoffs is "three years from today." Heisley: "The fans might say 'Well, why should I come?' I'm hoping they'll see the future and see these young players and want to be part of that culture going forward. ... We're in great shape. We've got cap room. ... In three years, I hope I'm proven right." The Grizzlies enter today's free-agent signing period far under the league's salary cap, but Heisley said, "Everybody is going to be saying 'Spend the money! Spend the money!' I'm going to spend the money when the time comes to spend the money. It's that simple. I realize I'm not that popular right now. That's fine with me. I'll be very popular if I put a NBA champ in here" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 6/29).
CRITICS NOT BUYING IN YET: Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti said of the trade that in part sent the rights to the No. 3 overall pick in last week's NBA Draft G O.J. Mayo from the T'Wolves to the Grizzlies for the rights to No. 5 overall pick F Kevin Love, “Mayo goes to Memphis where they take on tons of unwanted salary. The owner is trying to sell the team. It’s a train wreck there” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 6/30).
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