The Grizzlies have decided to retain first-year head coach Marc Iavaroni for the 2008-09 season, according to an NBA source.
Iavaroni, who will enter the second of a three-year deal, was rumored to be on the hot seat. But team owner Michael Heisley met with Iavaroni Thursday and decided against firing the rookie head coach after one season, according to the source.
Heisley, though, reportedly stressed improvement on the defensive end and with personnel decisions.
The Griz finished with a 22-60 record – identical to their 2006-07 mark – and now look forward to the NBA draft lottery on May 20.

The Grizzlies, sitting in neutral since the regular season ended, will shift into gear with team owner Michael Heisley in town to meet with the coaching and management staffs. Player exit interviews were conducted immediately following the season and now Heisley will evaluate head coach Marc Iavaroni, general manager Chris Wallace, etc.

People close to Heisley tell me that the Chicago billionaire wanted to take some time to step back and remove the emotion from his dissatisfaction with another 22-60 season in Memphis.

And, no, Heisley was not courting Larry Brown and that had nothing to do with Brown’s coaching or potential salary demands. Heisley, who interviewed Brown last year before hiring Iavaroni, was simply convinced that Brown would ultimately seek to change the roster with high-priced, veteran players. The Grizzlies remain committed more than ever (especially without Pau Gasol) to building through the draft.

So why exactly did Heisley take so long to address Iavaroni? Why, when other teams with coaching situations made quick, decisive moves? Does this mean that Iavaroni is safe?

Let the offseason begin.

Insiders paint a picture of a 50/50 situation. Wallace unexpectedly dialed up my morning sports talk show (The Morning Rush on Sports56) today and didn’t counter that equation. There will be little surprise if Heisley fires Iavaroni or if Heisley keeps the first-time head coach.

If Iavaroni is fired then he probably didn’t convince Heisley that he could accept change.

What changes?

There will be a strong emphasis placed on defense. The Griz were among the worst in the league at guarding people, and Iavaroni’s defensive philosophy is an issue. His schemes mostly steered opponents to the middle of the paint – something that was mindboggling to players and others connected to the club.

There will be some discussion about offensive philosophy. Iavaroni tried using the Phoenix Suns’ principles but the free-flowing, run-and-gun style was too much for such a young team to handle. The point guards weren’t NBA mature enough to handle the responsibility and so the challenge will be for Iavaroni to play a more structured offense.

There will be some discussion about decision-making. It will be a short talk. Iavaroni wielded heavy influence over personnel matters last season, and that will change. What Iavaroni wanted, he got. Until now. His curious talent evaluation regarding players such Casey Jacobsen, Tarence Kinsey, Stromile Swift, Hakim Warrick, and to some degree, Pau Gasol, means that his power will be greatly reduced. Expect the Griz to function with more of a collaborative effort, starting with the draft.

At the moment, the fact that high-profiled coaches (Avery Johnson, Rick Carlisle, Jeff Van Gundy and possibly Mike D’Antoni) are or could be available doesn’t seem to be coloring Heisley’s view of this situation. Today will be about exploring whether the Grizzlies can make it work with Iavaroni. It’s the first step into a long offseason.

Stay tuned.

Veteran swingman Mike Miller was back on the court Monday afternoon, and participated in the team’s full-contact practice without restrictions. He didn’t seem bothered by the bad back that’s kept him out of the lineup for nearly two weeks.

That’s a good sign for Miller and the organization because the Grizzlies’ shooting has been flat-out putrid without the 6-8 sharpshooter. Miller is still listed as day-to-day so his availability for their game Tuesday against Chicago is unknown. Coach Marc Iavaroni said Saturday that they targeted Wednesday (vs. New Jersey) for Miller’s return.

Memphis’ offense, though, has struggled mightily without Miller. The Griz (0-7 without Miller this season) have scored more than 100 points just once (113 on Feb. 26 vs. Phoenix) and is averaging just 41 percent from the field overall and 30 percent from behind the arc in seven games without their second-leading scorer (16.8), leading rebounder (6.5) and three-point shooter (.433).

Miller has missed each game due to a sore back, including the past six.

After asking fans to offer submissions for what dunk he should perform during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest on YouTube, Rudy Gay has made a selection.

Gay’s first dunk of the contest will be from a dunk submitted by Brandon Lacue form Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The 22-year-old is a member of a group called Team Flightbrothers.

Here is Lacue’s dunk on YouTube that Gay will attempt first tonight. It’s the first dunk on the video:

Watch here!!!

The NBA and Gay are also flying Lacue into New Orleans to sit courtside during the Sprite Slam Dunk to watch Gay perform. He will also attend Gay’s special “dunk practice” earlier in the day.

The Sprite Slam Dunk is apart of NBA All-Star Saturday Night airing at 7 pm on TNT.

The incoming text message apologized for not getting back to me sooner, and said “call when works for you.” So I immediately picked up the phone Friday night and dialed up Pau Gasol. The 7-footer answered after just having landed in Los Angeles around midnight CST.

He sounded sad. He seemed dazed. Gasol actually was confused, too. He never saw this coming. Gasol never thought he’d be traded and had no inkling when the Griz informed him that he needed to board a plane because he’s a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

“It’s not easy to digest,” Gasol said. “You leave something that you’ve been committed to for such a long time — all of a sudden you’re on a plane going to a different team. It’s pretty shocking.”

More from Gasol in the Sunday Commercial Appeal.

Meanwhile, here’s more fallout from the Gasol trade:

*** The Griz and Lakers have been talking for some time. One of their initial discussions involved a deal that would have included Mike Miller and Hakim Warrick, and Lamar Odom. The Lakers are said to have declined. The Griz also talked to Denver and Cleveland about Gasol.

*** Part of the motivation for the Gasol deal had to do with the discontent from fans. A large segment of the fan base (as fickle as they are) disliked Gasol, booed him and wanted the Griz to ship him at any cost. The team realized that, along with just 13 wins, having a franchise player (and highest paid player) that can’t draw at the ticket window would never work. People wouldn’t pay to see Gasol play. So part of the thinking is perhaps they can shop for one who can draw fans.

*** I’m hearing strong vibes that the Logo brokered this deal. No proof but where there is smoke, there’s a fire. Jerry West still has owner Mike Heisley and general manager Chris Wallace’s ears. Plus, West is very interested in having Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak succeed. Just my two cents.

*** After talking to several league executives, the Griz have pissed off the Western Conference with this deal. Elite West teams are said to be angry that the Griz just handed the Lakers an important piece in their quest to become a championship contender. Typically, All Stars are sent to the ‘other’ conference. Imagine how Atlanta and Chicago must feel right now. But those East teams weren’t offering cap room.

*** Don’t be surprised if Mike Miller is traded. Don’t be surprised if the great Kyle Lowry, not Javaris Crittenton, is eventually dealt to clear out the crowded point guard position.

*** Wishful thinking to those of you who think Heisley is stripping down the franchise to sell it. Would he dump the franchise if a buyer came along and paid his price? Sure. But Heisley, in a recent meeting with the local owners, said he’ll probably die with this team. He plans on owning it for a long time. He just doesn’t plan on suffering the losses he’s already endured during that span. One way to ensure that is to get the payroll in line.

Stay tuned.

The Griz sent Pau Gasol and a 2010 second-round pick to the Lakers and received Kwame Brown, Aaron McKie (a one-year, sign-and-trade deal), Javaris Crittendon, a 2008 first-round pick (Top-3 protected), a 2010 first-round pick (Top-6 protected), the rights to Marc Gasol and cash.

The Griz just traded Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and two first-round draft picks — one in 2008 and the other in 2010.

Stromile Swift will be sent to New Jersey for Jason Collins in a deal that is expected to be announced soon. Swift was sent home today and didn’t practice with the Griz. He won’t play tomorrow against the Utah Jazz.