Jerry West has reportedly told confidants that the Grizzlies have their eyes set on an established and young frontline player with a large contract. That player would be "great" alongside Pau Gasol.

Two possibilities are Zach Randolph and Nene.

A league source suggests that Memphis president Jerry West is very high on Joakim Noah, though it remains to be seen how Chris Wallace's arrival will factor into the decision.

Wallace is regarded as a shrewd judge of talent who founded the award-winning Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook.

The Grizzlies have hired Boston's Chris Wallace as their general manager, ending a wide-ranging search to replace outgoing team president Jerry West. An announcement could come today.

Several Grizzly insiders confirmed the hire. Wallace had emerged as one of the frontrunners when Phoenix's David Griffin removed his name from consideration and stayed with the Suns.

Wallace, who served as GM with the Boston Celtics under executive director Danny Ainge, is expected to oversee the Grizzlies? day-to-day basketball operations. It is believed, though, that West will remain with the organization as a consultant once his contract expires June 30.

John Nash, a general manager with four NBA teams, most recently the Portland Trail Blazers, has interviewed for a similar position with the Memphis Grizzlies, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

The Grizzlies have been searching for a GM since Jerry West resigned.

Nash, a former 76ers GM, has been working as a basketball analyst for Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia. He was unavailable for comment last night.

Nash's other stops as a GM have been the Washington Bullets (now the Wizards) and the New Jersey Nets. *

Jerry West and Griz owner Michael Heisley recently returned from a weeklong golf trip to Scotland, and both said Monday that the team will interview at least two additional candidates.

Known applicants that have interviewed for the job include former Denver boss Kiki Vandeweghe, Boston general manager Chris Wallace, former NBA point guard Mark Jackson, and David Griffin, Phoenix Suns senior vice president of basketball operations.

Griffin removed his name from consideration and that left Wallace as the No. 1 candidate, according to several published reports.

"We're definitely considering Wallace. We're also considering three or four other people," Heisley said. "But we've got an interview or two yet to do. So we're still conducting interviews. We have not made a decision. I'm hopeful we'll make a decision in the next week."

Former Chicago Bulls player and executive B.J. Armstrong remains a person of interest for the Griz. But several members of the Griz organization believe Wallace is a clear frontrunner.

Mark Jackson, a former NBA point guard-turned-television analyst, appears to be a leading candidate to join the Griz. Boston's Chris Wallace and former Denver boss Kiki Vandeweghe have also interviewed. Former Chicago Bulls point guard and executive B.J. Armstrong as well as John Nash remain possible candidates.

The Griz are expected to contact Armstrong once Heisley and West return the week of June 10.

The Suns will have a full front office when Steve Kerr eases into the general manager's chair next Wednesday. Suns vice president of basketball operations David Griffin has declined an offer to become the next vice president and general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies in order to remain with the only organization he's ever worked for -- and work side-by-side with Kerr.

Griffin said he made the decision late Thursday night and called former Suns assistant and new Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni before informing Memphis owner Michael Heisley on Friday.

"It was a difficult decision because it's a very attractive situation and someone else will benefit from my decision and prosper there," Griffin said Friday from the NBA pre-draft camp in Orlando. "But I feel like I have, and the Suns have, unfinished business and it just wouldn't feel right to leave."

Grizzlies all-star center Pau Gasol strongly endorsed new Griz coach Marc Iavaroni from his home in Spain today.

"I?ve heard a lot of good things about him," Gasol said via telephone from Spain. "I?ve heard he?s a bright guy and he has a good chance of being a great head coach. Hopefully, this will work out good for the franchise for a long time."

Gasol said he?s optimistic that the franchise is establishing a clear direction with Iavaroni as a definite staple.

"The stability of a coach means a lot to players," Gasol said. "What I wanted in a coach was an ability to carry a team in the appropriate way, and someone who will transmit a good vibe. We need someone to put everybody on the same page with a winning mentality. Leadership is important for young teams."