Another day, another Grizzly defection.
Shawn Bennett, director of promotions and event presentations, will leave in two weeks to work as Vice President of Event Presentations for the New York Knicks. Strength and conditioning coach Mike Curtis left last week to work for the University of Michigan.
Bennett served the Grizzlies well over the past two seasons, bringing energy and creativity to the position. He joined the Griz in 2006 after spending three seasons with the Orlando Magic.
Some people may remember Bennett, an Indiana native, for his work with the Redbirds from 2000-03.
“It’s a great opportunity to perform in the world’s most famous arena,” Bennett said, referring to Madison Square Garden. “That’s the attraction for me. It’s a great opportunity to be on that stage.”
- - - RUMOR MILL KEEPS CHURNING: Any potential Memphis deal involving New York forward Zach Randolph is now in the Knicks’ court from what I’m told. The Griz will agree to a package that includes Darko Milicic and Marko Jaric going to the Knicks for Randolph. But Griz brass apparently wants the Knicks to pick up more of the deferred payments owed Randolph in the latter year of his contract.
New York executives supposedly are deliberating. Randolph is owed $14.6 million, $16 million and $17.3 million over the next three seasons.
In short, this seems to be a 50/50 proposition – a scenario that bears watching until the start of the regular season.
in Grizzlies/NBA
Responses to “Griz lose Bennett to Knicks”
September 4th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
See above. Didn’t Portland do the right thing and get rid of this chucker?! Brandon Roy did just fine w/o ZBO. Grizz brass say this team will be built around Rudy, O.J. and Mike. ZBO would just hold back their development.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I agree. Zach would impede the young the Grizzlies but if I’m Donnie Walsh, I would take this deal in a heartbeat. Its better to have two $7M contracts than one $14M. They’re just easier to trade that way. And the Knicks wouldn’t be getting complete duds either. Jaric adds depth to the shaky point guard position and could end up the starter while Milicic adds a big and agile body; something they didn’t have in Randolph. Plus, Milicic is still young and still has some upside.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Dont forget Jarics wife. She is not worth the trade alone. I’d be inclined to see the griz with her in the stands and zbo hogging the ball and playing lackluster defense.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
That’s a horrible deal. You can’t expect NY to dump Zach for Memphis’ worse contract. The twolves tried desperately to get rid of it and that was only possible with the inclusion of Mayo in a deal. NY doesn’t take Jaric in this deal unless Jerome James or Jared Jeffries goes to Memphis too. Memphis is over $10 mil under the cap anyway, so Darko for Zach works salary cap wise. Anything above and beyond that would have to take a little compromise from both sides. Although, throw in Lowry or a future 1st, and Marko coming to NY becomes less of a burden.
September 5th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Oh, and saying a deal like this is in the “Knicks’ court” is like saying “NY offered Q Richardson and Jerome James for Tracy McGrady. The deal is now in the Rocket’s court from what I’m told.” LOL
…this isn’t Isiah we’re dealing with folks.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Chris, you said, “You can’t expect NY to dump Zach for Memphis’ worse contract.” You clearly don’t know the details of Brain Cardinal’s deal. The contracts work fine until the last year of ZBo’s deal when Darko’s deal expires, which is why the Grizzlies want “deferred payments owed Randolph in the latter year of his contract.”
BTW
The Knicks feel they made a mistake signing Randolph. They merely want to get under the cap by 2010 so they can sign LeBron. You’re right about one thing, Isaiah is not the deal maker, it’s Donnie Walsh who reportedly started the conversation. CHECK THE FACTS!
September 6th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
i dont think the knicks are seeking to trade of randolph because he is sorry, its a matter of contract and under cap issues. He is a 20 10 guy career wise and he is young 25 26.
it is garbage for everyone to say he is a bumb because he had a bad year last year, it is a contract issue that powering his this trade.
September 9th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Reb Pts
01-02 1.7 2.8
02-03 4.5 8.4
03-04 10.5 20.1
04-05 9.6 18.9
05-06 8.0 18.0
06-07 10.1 23.6
07-08 10.3 17.6
01-02 8.9 17.6
02-03 8.8 19.0
03-04 7.7 17.7
04-05 7.3 17.8
05-06 8.9 20.4
06-07 9.8 20.8
07-08 8.8 18.9
Progress?
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