The Grizzlies' local minority-share owners are adding partners and hope to approach majority owner Michael Heisley "in the very near future" about a buyout of his 70-percent stake, J.R. 'Pitt' Hyde III said Tuesday.

"We have told him we have high interest and that we're working on putting our group together," Hyde said, "and we're close to accomplishing that."

"I feel confident that we'll be able to put together a very good group."

Hyde wouldn't identify new or potential investors, but he said they're local, and that the resulting group "wouldn't be a large number of people."

The Nuggets might seek a point guard in the summer in free agency and if they go after Chucky Atkins, he is certainly interested.

"Without a doubt, I'd love to come to Denver," said Atkins, who will be a free agent. "I've always liked George Karl as a coach. I think I can help those guys getting up and down the court and score some points. I'm a guy that can stretch the court (with his shooting)."

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brian Cardinal underwent arthroscopic surgery today on his left knee for problems related to a chronic knee condition.  The surgery was performed by team orthopaedic physician Dr. Fred Azar at the Campbell Clinic.

Cardinal will be out the remainder of the season, and upon recovery, will begin rehabilitation with the Grizzlies athletic training staff.

Pat Riley confirmed a report that said the Heat and Grizzlies were discussing a trade for veteran point guard Chucky Atkins before last Thursday's trade deadline.

Riley said the reason the Heat did not acquire Atkins was because the Grizzlies were insisting Miami also take Stromile Swift in the deal.

''That's a good deal, but Stromile's got four years under contract that we just didn't want to digest,'' Riley said. ``That's not where we want to go with our future money.''

Riley said declining the move had nothing to do with Wade sustaining a serious injury less than 24 hours before the deadline.

A proposed deal that would have sent Stromile Swift and point guard Chucky Atkins to Miami for former Griz forward James Posey, center Michael Doleac and a draft pick was agreed upon in principal until Heat guard Dwyane Wade suffered a separated shoulder.

Wade's injury Wednesday -- on the eve of the NBA's trade deadline -- made the Heat pull out for fear that they may not be able to contend for a championship. The inability to consummate the deal was a disappointment for Griz brass as much as it was for Swift and Atkins.

The Griz wanted to create more salary-cap space with Posey's expiring $6.4 million contract. The little-used Swift saw an opportunity to play. Atkins wanted to follow in the footsteps of his buddy, Eddie Jones, and join a possible playoff team.

Coincidentally, Swift and Atkins are represented by agent Andy Miller, who had convinced both players that the deal was real.

"I see what direction this is going so it wouldn't have bothered," Swift said. "But I'm definitely sure something will happen this summer. But I'll stay ready if they do call on me."

Pau Gasol requested a trade back in January, but it now looks like he will stay put.

"We're not going to do anything," West said. "No one's offered one thing that we would take. We're not going to give him away."

West then added another proclamation about the team's direction.

"We've got to put a team out there that's going to complement (Gasol)," he said. "This team will be back in business and be very competitive."

Jerry West, president of the Grizzlies, is still standing firm in his demands for at least two players from the Chicago Bulls? main core of Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich and Andres Nocioni in exchange for Pau Gasol, according to team insiders.

Both sides are describing talks as dead even though that could change before Thursday?s NBA trade deadline.

Memphis Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West announced today the team has signed guard Lorinza ?Junior? Harrington to a second 10-day contract.

In three games for Memphis, Harrington has averaged 5.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 12.0 minutes.

Harrington was signed to his first 10-day contract on February 9.

Pau Gasol is taken aback at why team president Jerry West became so offended when he asked for a trade while owner Michael Heisley displayed compassion.

"I haven't been treated with a lot of fairness," Gasol said.

The NBA will return for its second year of NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS? this Fall when the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors will conduct training camps and play exhibition games in six European cites in four countries, it was announced today by NBA Commissioner David Stern.

The 2007 NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS? will mark a series of firsts in the NBA?s 19-year history of conducting games in Europe.  The Boston Celtics and the Minnesota Timberwolves will play in the first basketball game in the O2, London?s new state of the art NBA style arena.

In addition, the NBA will conduct its first game played in Turkey.  The event will also feature the first time two NBA teams have competed against one another in Rome.