Mike Fratello is entering the final year of his contract and neither he, nor the Grizzlies are in any hurry to discuss an extension.

"He's got a year's contract to play out. I find it hard to believe that that's a sign of a guy about to be fired," owner Michael Heisley said.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Tarence Kinsey suffered a right orbital fracture during an offseason workout on Wednesday.  He was examined today by team physician Dr. Jimmie Mancell and will undergo surgery at Methodist University Hospital by Dr. Matt Wilson on Monday, September 25 to repair the injury.  He is expected to miss up to four weeks.

Despite Stromile Swift desperately wanting to be out of Memphis in his first tour with the team, only to be traded back to the Grizzlies twelve months later, the team is looking at holding onto the high flying forward, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

GM Jerry West made clear his resolve to hold onto Swift recently, emphasizing a couple conversations he's had with the 6-9 jumping jack over the past month.

Despite his critics, Swift returns with the nightly ability to score in the lane, grab double-digit rebounds and protect the basket with his athleticism and length.

"We had two really nice talks," West said. "In my talks with him, he seemed to be excited to be back. I talked about the opportunity for him to have the ball in his hands. I told him how important it was to come and be ready to start the season strong. He's going to get a lot of touches, so I would think he'd have to feel good about that."

Swift's agent, Andy Miller, sounded equally as optimistic and characterized Swift's mindset as constructive.

"Since the initial shock of being traded, any conversation I've had with Stro has been very positive," Miller said. "There aren't any negative feelings. It's a good opportunity for him to re-establish himself. We thought that before Gasol's injury. That won't change his approach. The second time around with the Grizzlies and the familiarity should make it a better transition."

After a state Court of Appeals ruling denied Grizzlies guard Damon Stoudamire a jury trial, his lawyer is taking his case to another level.

Defense attorney Michael Piccarreta has sent a petition for review to the Arizona Supreme Court to try to get Stoudamire's case tried before a jury.

Stoudamire was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors, in July 2003 after authorities said he tried to pass through a security checkpoint at Tucson International Airport.

Last month, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled that Stoudamire's possible sentence is not severe enough for him to be entitled to a jury trial.

If convicted, he could face up to three years' probation and a $2,500 fine.

Pau Gasol plans to play in the European Championships held in Spain next summer, as he is confident the Grizzlies will allow him to play. Gasol has recently had surgery on a broken metatarsal in his left foot, an injury that was suffered in international play.

"The Grizzlies know how important it is for me to play for my country, and I don't think they would try and stop me because it isn't in their interests.

"This injury has been waiting to happen for a long time, and could just as easily have happened in December. The fact it has happened now has been viewed favourably by some people."

Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol will be sidelined for four months after surgery to repair a broken bone in his left foot.

The 7-foot Gasol is scheduled to leave for his native Spain on Monday for a two-week trip and begin rehabilitation upon returning to Memphis, the Grizzlies said Friday. He broke the bone last week while playing for Spain during the World Championship in Japan.

With surgery to repair a fracture of the fifth metatarsal scheduled for Friday in Memphis, Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol was in good spirits Wednesday and provided the most optimistic view heard yet about his pending recovery.

His stated goal is to return to the court in time for the start of the NBA regular season.

"From what I'm told, (the rehabilitation) is supposed to be 11/2 to 2 months. I want to be back and helping my team before training camp is over," Gasol said from Barcelona, where he prepared for a flight to Memphis. "I know I'm going to have to work hard on my rehab. But I'm going to do whatever it takes. That's why I'm coming back so quickly to have the surgery."

Gasol is expected to arrive in town today, and undergo surgery Friday afternoon at the Campbell Clinic.

The Griz are required to report 25 days later. Their season-opener against New York in FedExForum is 54 days removed from surgery.

"I know it won't be easy," Gasol said. "I know it's a process. But I always try to be positive. I hope to rejoin them midway through the preseason."

Pau Gasol is expected to be sidelined for up to three months after he undergoes surgery on Friday to repair a broken bone in his left foot.

Gasol fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot last week.

Michael Heisley, owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, realizes that the potential for injury while players compete on an international level is a simple reality of basketball in the 21st century.

"I don't know what you can do. It does no good to rant and rave about it," Heisley said, adding that he still is disappointed. "It's part of the breaks of the game. I'm sure Jerry and Mike are bitterly disappointed. Pau is extremely important to our team as he is to Spain. It's just a terrible break.

"But I don't think it's a career-threatening injury. I think they'll have to put a pin in it, and he'll be out 2-3 months. That means things will be tough for us the first couple months of the season."

Despite not playing in the final, Grizzlies star Pau Gasol was named the MVP of the World Championships as his Spain team took home the gold.

Gasol led Spain in scoring and rebounding throughout the tournament. When the 7-footer broke his foot with about a minute left in the 75-74 semifinal win over Argentina, his team's gold-medal hopes dimmed considerably.

"Against Argentina that was a night of pain and happiness, and it has become happiness," said Gasol, the world championship trophy on one side and the tournament's Most Valuable Player award on the other. "It couldn't be any better today. It's hard to describe with words.

"My teammates today played an amazing game. They played with their hearts and together as a unit. It's no fun to watch. I thought I would suffer some more, but I am so happy to see the way they responded without me being there."

Gasol stood holding his head in his hands in the final seconds, openly in tears. It wasn't long before Gasol hopped to midcourt to join his teammates in a circle, sitting on the court wearing headbands given to them at the final buzzer.

"I was just super happy and couldn't contain myself from crying," he said. "It is so special to be a part of this team and not being able to be there really hurt me."