Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that the Grizzlies signed their mystery man. And when we say ?mystery?, we mean ?mystery?? literally. He?s a mystery because because not many people around the NBA have even heard of Cezary Trybanski.

No one knows what he will do against NBA competition, but Memphis president Jerry West saw enough to sign the 7-1, 250 pound center to a 3-year, $4.8 million contract.

"We feel fortunate to have Cezary join our team, because he has a tremendous amount of raw talent and has the potential to be a very good player in the NBA," West said in a statement. "He is athletic, skilled and explosive for his size; and we expect him to develop into a great addition to our team at the post position."

The team's lack of size last season could make Trybanski a candidate to start at center when training begins in October. "I'm very happy and excited to sign a contract with the Grizzlies and to start working towards achieving my dream to be the first player from Poland to play in the NBA," Trybanski said. "The Grizzlies are a young, up-and-coming team with a lot of talent and players my age, which is a great situation for me to learn the NBA game.
"Hopefully, I can become an inspiration for others in Poland and help grow the game in my home country."

Violet Palmer was one of two female referees in the NBA.  Now she?s on her own after the league let Dee Kantner go.

Evidently Kantner was ranked last out of the 59 referees in an evaluation by the league.  

Ron Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal observes that there are plenty of male referees who don?t make the mark.  He fingers Jim Kinsey.

And he goes on to say that NBA officiating director Ed Rush said Kinsey also has been dismissed.

Wonder what Mark Cuban will think of this action at the DQ?

Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that the Grizzlies are after Seattle restricted free agent Earl Watson. They signed Watson to a 3-year, $4 million offer sheet. Seattle has 15 days to decide whether or not to match the offer and keep Watson, but that will be difficult to do under the rules of the CBA.  

In order to match the offer, the Sonics will have to clear enough cap room to accept the $1.2 million starting salary of the offer.

The Sonics just used their mid-level exception to re-sign Jerome James and They are already in a dificult negotiation with Rashard Lewis. Promising money to Watson will not help the Lewis situation.

Also, if the much-reported trade that will send Seattles? Vin Baker to Boston for Kenny Anderson and Vitaly Potapenko goes through, Watson would be expendable with Anderson backing up the point guard position.

"We feel that Earl (Watson) is a tough, hard-nosed player who is dedicated to becoming an impact player in this league," Grizzlies president of basketball operations Jerry West said. "He had an impressive college career at UCLA and a good rookie season in Seattle, and he will add quality depth to our point guard position."

With Watson, that would give the Grizzlies four point guards: Watson, Jason Williams, Brevin Knight and Eddie Gil. This could mean Gill?s days with the Grizz are numbered while a trade involving Knight may be in the works.

"I am excited about the opportunity to possibly play for the Grizzlies for several reasons. I grew up in Kansas City which is close to Memphis, and I consider it a privilege to have a chance to play for Jerry West," Watson said.

Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that the Grizzlies may have a surprise up their sleeve this summer. Free agent big men like Jerome James, Scott Williams and Michael Doleac are no longer on Grizzlies? President Jerry West?s ?wish list?.

Who is on West's mind now is a bit of a mystery.
"You'll be a little surprised by what we do," West said. "We'll sign a player that may make people wonder. But he's someone who will help us." When asked if the player is a center, West replied: "He's 7-1." Tillery adds that there is reason to believe that the player in question may not have played in the NBA last year.

The Grizzlies have already worked a deal for Croatian Gordan Giricek, whose rights were obtained in a post-draft trade. "Everybody who sees Gordan swears by him," West said of the 6-6 guard. "He can really play. I just want to get more talented."

The Grizzlies were very interested in James, the Sonics? free agent center, until recently. The increased interest from other teams and Seattle?s insistence that they will keep him has driven the Grizzlies away. James will probably be seeking most, if not all, of the $4.5 million mid-class exception and six years.

The Grizzlies would rather split the exception between two players and would have concerns about signing James to a long-term deal because of questions about his conditioning.