Don Wade of the Commercial Appeal reports that the Grizzlies are still waiting to welcome first-round pick Pau Gasol to the States. The team has not been able to sign Gasol to his contract because he has not completed a buyout of his contract with a pro team in Barcelona. NBA rules allow the Grizzlies to pay $350,000 of the buyout, but the rest of the terms are up to Gasol and his representatives to negotiate.

''We've been stalemated because of the buyout,'' Grizzlies general manager Billy Knight said. ''Obviously, he'd like to lessen the buyout (the team started by asking for a reported $2.5 million) and the team would like to retain his rights for when he is through in the NBA.

Grizzlies director of player personnel Tony Barone was optimistic about the situation, saying, ''It's moving the direction it needs to move.''

''It's getting pretty close,'' added Knight. ''It'll be taken care of by the start of training camp, I feel comfortable with that.''