Two former Grizzlies back in the trade rotation

ESPN is reporting a deal between the New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves that would send Darko Milicic to the Twin Cities and land Brian Cardinal in the Big Apple.

Obviously this trade is not sending ripples through the NBA. Neither team will make the playoffs this season and neither player will ever be an All Star.

As a Grizzlies fan though, this one made me smile.

Remember when the Grizzlies picked up Darko in 2007? He was four years removed from being the number two overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in the 2003 NBA Draft. Some labeled him a bust after four years in league left him with impressive numbers such as 19 starts, 15.5 minutes per game and 3.9 points per game.

Brian Cardinal had a little better career statistically, especially for the Grizzlies. Also, Cardinal involved himself in numerous community projects during his stay in Memphis.

But I think it is safe to say that neither player provided what the Grizzlies were looking for in the two big men. Darko continued to under-produce and Cardinal never really came on as consistently as the team, and fans, had hoped.

The smile is deeper than either players' performance while playing for Memphis, though. What makes me smile is thinking that finally the Grizzlies might be out of the mediocre player trading business. These two guys being trading for each other is strictly a salary cap move. The Grizz have some financial wiggle room right now, and there is no pressing need to acquire expiring contracts or dump hefty ones (see: Pau Gasol).

There is a real possibility the team could make a solid long term to Rudy Gay. The offer was not made before the October 30, 2009 deadline that was set in Gay's contract, leaving him a restricted free agent this off-season. That means that any team can make an offer to Gay and the Grizzlies will have to at least match that offer or his services will be retained by highest bidder.

Pending the outcome of that situation, the Grizzlies could make a splash in the much anticipated free agent class of 2010 that features LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and other high-profile players.

It is just nice to know that the Memphis Grizzlies are becoming a serious franchise. Moves have been made in the past to set the team up for the next several years. What is already a strong nucleus of players and coaches should only get stronger this season and off-season.

You better jump on the Grizzlies bandwagon now, cause it's getting full.

P.S.

Who could forget Darko ripping his jersey in frustration? At least the kid had heart.