Dan Gilbert has spoken with Grizzlies' GM Jerry West about the possibility of taking over the controls in Cleveland.  West is under contract with the Grizzlies for another season and is going to stay in Memphis.

Gilbert also spoke with Memphis Tigers head coach John Calipari.

"They asked to meet and we talked," Calipari said. "But I'm not a candidate. We've got a good thing going and I'm not looking to do anything. I'm not going to be there. That's not happening. It's just that time of year. I was flattered that they wanted to talk."

"There's a lot of names that are kind of circulating out there and a lot of rumors," Gilbert said. "And unfortunately, or fortunately, I can't comment on any of them. ... There's nothing imminent right now signing with anybody but we're getting very close. We're very excited about the candidates we're talking to."

Brian Cardinal underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last week and is expected to completely recover before training camp begins in October.

"From everything I've been told, they're very pleased with what they found in there and how they handled it," Griz coach Mike Fratello said. "They cleaned up a lot of what was causing problems from this past season."

Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach Eric Mussleman is not upset that he was past over for the Orlando Magic's head coaching position and is in good spirits while he awaits for his future to be decided.

"It's hard to get a head job in this league," said a smiling Musselman, whose last head coaching job was with the Golden State Warriors.

Apparently, there were rumblings that Mussleman would be the coach and Brian Hill, who beat Mussleman out for the job, would become the General Manager but this obviously did not happen.

Mussleman could still get a head coaching position this summer as he is canadiate in Cleveland but despite published reports, Mussleman has not interviewed with Minnesota or any of the other teams with coaching vacanies.

Still, he will be upset if he returns to Memphis next season.

"I feel really good about being here," Musselman said. "I like the city. I love working for Mike. I don't look at it as a fall-back. I'm excited about being here and I'm looking forward to next season. If something ever came about, then that's something I can't control. As far as what I can control, I really enjoy being here."

The National Basketball Association (NBA) returns to Puerto Rico on October 14 with a marquee match-up between the Miami HEAT and the Memphis Grizzlies in San Juan, it was announced today by the NBA.  Both teams are expected to travel with their full preseason rosters, bringing to the island stars such as Miami HEAT All-Stars Shaquille O?Neal and Dwyane Wade and Memphis Grizzlies star forward Pau Gasol. The on-sale date for the event to take place at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Mario Agrelot will be announced at a later date.  

?The 2005 Puerto Rico game is another example of the league?s commitment to reaching fans around the world and serving the Latin America market,? said Arturo Nu?ez, Vice President and Managing Director of the NBA Latin America and U.S. Hispanic.  ?We will continue reaching out to fans, while increasing awareness and participation in the sport of basketball in Puerto Rico and throughout Latin America.?

Orlando Magic forward Grant Hill is the recipient of the Joe Dumars Trophy presented to the 2004-05 NBA Sportsmanship Award winner, the NBA announced today.  

Originally presented following the 1995-96 season, the Sportsmanship Award honors a player who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court -- ethical behavior, fair play and integrity.  The trophy is named for former Detroit Pistons All-Star guard Joe Dumars, the award?s first recipient.  

Hill received 2,778 points, including 134 first place votes, the highest received among the Sportsmanship Award finalists.  For the second consecutive year, NBA players voted on this award, with eleven points given for each first-place vote, nine points for each second-place vote, seven points for third, five points for fourth, three points for fifth and one point for each sixth place vote received.  Each team nominated one of its own players for this award, then former NBA players Tom Heinsohn, Eddie Johnson, Steve Mix, Kelly Tripucka and Stu Lantz selected the six divisional winners.  

An 11-year NBA veteran, Hill was one of six divisional winners which included Indiana?s Austin Croshere, Memphis? Shane Battier, New Jersey?s Jacque Vaughn, Phoenix?s Steve Nash and Utah?s Andrei Kirilenko.

The Minnesota Timberwolves interviewed Memphis Grizzlies assistant Lionel Hollins for their vacant position at head coach.

Hollins is not considered the favorite however, word has it current assistant Sidney Lowe has been the most impressive candidate so far.

The Wolves have also expressed interest in commentator Doug Collins who reportedly has no interest in them.

The Orlando Magic will meet with Memphis Grizzlies assistant coach Eric Mussleman and could finish up interviews for their head coaching vacancy by the end of next week.

"One former NBA assistant coach with knowledge of the search said he believes the Magic "could decide next week" who their coach will be and announce it later."

Mussleman, who prior to last season was the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, is on a short list of canadiates to become the team's next head coach.

"One NBA executive, who asked not to be identified, told the Sentinel that the Magic were also interested in former Minnesota Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders."

The Magic interviewed interim head coach Chris Jent last friday and the longshot Jent believes it went well.

"I felt it went well," Jent said on Monday from Oregon, where he is vacationing. "They made me feel they were interested and wanted to know my philosophies and how I would handle things.

"I'm just going to sit tight."

Like the source said, he expects a decision to be made by next week.

Also believed to be in the running are Spurs assistant coach P.J. Carlesimo, New Jersey Nets assistant Brian Hill and former Cleveland Cavaliers Coach Paul Silas.

Several years ago the Kings decided to swap Jason Williams for Mike Bibby and the Star Tribune is now reporting that Williams is rumored to be moved again for another point guard; This time to Minnesota for Sam Cassell.

Cassell is entering the final year of his contract and would give the Grizzlies a very veteran point guard to share the duties with Earl Watson.

Williams has had a series of disputes with the Memphis coaching staff over the last few weeks.

Williams is signed thru the end of the 2007-2008 season.

Memphis point guard Jason Williams was fined $10,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for improper conduct toward members of the media following the Grizzlies' playoff loss to Phoenix Suns.

After the Suns swept the Grizzlies in their opening-round series on Sunday, Williams, angered over how he was quoted in a newspaper column, grabbed the pen out of a writer's hand in the Memphis locker room.

Williams twice took the pen out of the hand of Geoff Calkins, a columnist for The Commercial Appeal. He also screamed in his ear as the reporter tried talking to other Grizzlies.

"You can talk to TNT, but don't answer this [reporter's] questions," Williams said. "I'm not letting him write anything. I didn't do anything. I just took his pen."

Stromile Swift earned $6 million this season after signing a one-year contract.

He'll become an unrestricted free agent after spending five seasons with the Grizzlies. Swift can sign with any team and can leave without the Grizzlies receiving compensation, but it is likely that Memphis will want to execute a sign-and-trade deal, which would bring talent back to Jerry West.

Part of the deal would likely include a contract that Memphis would like to get rid of in exchange for an expiring contract.