Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has softened his stance on the February 2008 trade between the Lakers and Grizzlies that sent Pau Gasol to Los Angeles.

Once a harsh critic of the deal, which many perceived to be lopsided, Popovich now says that Memphis made out good in the deal.

"They gave up a great player but it helped them extend the franchise's success into the future," Popovich said. "It's shown that they've done a good job. Whatever they were thinking a couple of iterations ahead at the time has paid off for them."

The Grizzlies received Kwame Brown, rookie Javaris Crittenton, the rights to Marc Gasol and first-round picks in 2008 and 2010.

"What they did in Memphis is beyond comprehension," Popovich said at the time. "There should be a trade committee that can scratch all trades that make no sense. I just wish I had been on a trade committee that oversees NBA trades. I would have voted no to the L.A. trade."

Zach Randolph will be named an All-Star reserve for the Western Conference, according to sources with knowledge of the voting.

This will be the first All-Star appearance for the power forward.

Randolph is currently ranked 10th in the entire NBA in RealGM's current player rankings, based off Season FIC.

The Grizzlies revisited the possibility of signing Von Wafer last week after learning that the 6-5 guard successfully rehabilitated a back injury.  But the team will instead wait to make a final decision in order to keep a roster spot open in case of trade.

Memphis is hoping to use one of its three 2010 first round picks to make a move.  Miami and Utah have both been mentioned as possible trade partners.

The Grizzlies have surged since jettisoning Allen Iverson.

Iverson played just three games with Memphis and the team dropped to a 1-8 start.

Two months after the Iverson saga ended, the Grizzlies are one of the hottest teams in the NBA and they are in the playoff race in the competitive Western Conference.

"It's over. It's gone. Bye," coach Lionel Hollins said. "We are thinking about the next game. The next practice. We don't worry about who is not on our team. He played in three games. We moved so far away from that. You'd have to ask each individual player how it affected them. But it's gone. It's over."

Zach Randolph, an All-Star candidate, says that the team wasn't a unit earlier in the year.

"We didn't have the chemistry. We didn't have a feel for each other."

Memphis has won 21 of their 32 games since their 1-8 start.

Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins strongly refuted trade rumors involving star Rudy Gay on Friday night.

"Untrue. There's no trade possibility for Rudy (Gay). Rudy is a Memphis Grizzly, and for as long as he wants to be, he will be." Hollins said in response to an ESPN report to the contrary.

Memphis has been linked to Ronnie Brewer, who some believe will be used as insurance should the Grizzlies lose Gay this coming offseason.

Gay will be a restricted free agent this summer.

The Grizzlies reportedly have interest in acquiring guard Ronnie Brewer from the Jazz.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports wrote on his Twitter page that Memphis would like to use Brewer as insurance in the event Rudy Gay leaves.

"Grizzlies interest in Utah's Ronnie Brewer is future insurance for losing Rudy Gay thru deadline trade or free agency, league sources say," Wojnarowski wrote.

The Grizzlies have revisited the possibility of acquiring free-agent guard Von Wafer.

Memphis passed on signing Wafer Dec. 22 after he failed a physical.

Chris Wallace confirmed last week that he's monitored Wafer's progress as he rehabs his back.

The next step would be for Wafer to have a workout with the Grizzlies.

Memphis is discussing a potential trade in which they would acquire Ronnie Brewer from the Utah Jazz.

The discussions have centered around which first round pick the Grizzlies would send to Utah.

Memphis is not willing to part with its own 2010 pick, but could part with a pick owned by either Denver of the Lakers.

Brewer earns $2.7 million and will be a restricted free agent this summer. A qualifying offer would cost $3.7 million.

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley secretly tried to acquire center Alonzo Mourning back in 2006.

Heisley and Jerry West, then the team's president, flew to Miami to meet with the now-retired center prior to his final comeback from a kidney issue.

"They almost had me but my love was in Miami and my heart is still there," Mourning said Monday.

Mourning re-signed with the Heat in an effort to try and help that franchise defend its NBA title.

The Grizzlies are still looking to add a weapon to their bench.

They are one of several teams showing interest in Heat swingman Dorell Wright, according to reports.

If Miami doesn't get rid of Wright, they'll have to pay the NBA's luxury tax.

Wright is making $2.9 million this season and Miami is unlikely to re-sign him this summer.

The Grizzlies have three 2010 first-round picks to use as trade bait.