Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzles admitted to RealGM that he and executive Chris Wallace brought a stuffed "Grizzly" bear to the NBA Draft Lottery in New Jersey for good luck.

"It's like a little bear," Gay said Tuesday night. "It was given to us by a young fan."

Gay said that the bear was given to the team by a child receiving care at a local Memphis children's hospital.

If the Memphis Grizzlies land the first overall pick in June's NBA Draft, they could break many a heart in Tennessee by passing on Derrick Rose, according to The Sacramento Bee.

The Grizzles, who have a 13.7 percent chance of landing the first iselection, would likely take forward Michael Beasley over hometown point guard Rose.

Memphis ranked just 29th in the league in attendance last season but the arrival of Rose, who attended Memphis for one year of college, could certainly help boost attendance.

The Grizzlies enjoyed a nice rookie campaign from Mike Conley Jr. this year, something that could prohibit them from taking another point in the first round this season.

The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that they have requested waivers on guard Aaron McKie.

The 13-year NBA veteran was acquired on Feb. 1 from the Los Angeles Lakers along with rookie guard Javaris Crittenton, forward/center Kwame Brown, the rights to Marc Gasol, two first round draft picks (2008 and 2010) and cash considerations in exchange for forward/center Pau Gasol and a 2010 second round draft pick.

Marc Iavaroni will return to coach the Memphis Grizzlies next season, according to a the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

He will enter the second year of the three year contract he signed with the team before last season. He had what was described as a "difficult" meeting with team owner Michael Heisley on Thursday.

The Grizzlies were among the worst teams in the league in terms of offense and defense this season.