Marko Jaric

It no longer matters, but, for point of reference, four year 120% contracts for [Xavier] Henry and [Greivis] Vasquez will total a combined $15,167,563. Contrastly, 100% scale contracts for the two of them would have totalled a combined $12,639,636. That is a difference of $2,527,927, over four years, for a combined eight years of service between the two players. That total amount is less than they just sold Dominique Jones for, less than they just gave Tony Allen, less than they got for taking on Steven Hunter's deal last year, and less than 40% of what they're still paying Marko Jaric, a man currently without a job. Worse still, Henry and Vasquez would probably have met those minute incentives - if not in year one, then through the remainder of the contract. The savings, therefore, would have been even less. Yet that comparatively trivial amount was deemed enough to risk everything.

In Bo's place, Siena have been running with a makeshift point guard tandem, consisting of midseason pickup Marko Jaric and Greek combo guard Nikos Zisis. Neither is the ball handler that McCalebb was, nor close to the same level of athlete. Yet both were (or rather, are) capable ball movers and facilitators, big point guards with decent enough defense (as long as they aren't faced against any opposing speedsters) and acceptable outside shooting. Jaric has not had an especially good year - be it due to rust from so long on NBA benches, or due to the fact he's now 32, Jaric has been very turnover prone for Siena, and wasn't especially effective as the anticipated stabilising ball handler and playmaker in McCalebb's absence. Nevertheless, with Bo now back, it should no longer matter.

Marko Jaric - After being bought out by the Grizzlies this time last year, Jaric signed with Real Madrid to see out the season. He started well, but his play tapered off throughout the campaign, and he was not retained. Jaric has not signed anywhere thus far this season, but he is still being paid about $6 million by the Grizzlies, so he's probably not in a rush.

Marko Jaric - Jaric may or may not be a free agent. To be honest, it is hard to tell. After being bought out by the Grizzlies at Christmas time, Jaric went to Spain to play for Real Madrid, with whom he signed a two year contract. However, Real have had a bit of a clear-out this summer, particularly at the guard spots. Long term shooting guard Louis Bullock left, as have Rimantas Kaukenas, Sergi Vidal and Morris Almond. Sergio Llull signed an extension, Pablo Prigioni is still there, Sergio Rodriguez was brought in, and Clay Tucker (allegedly) soon will be. That then leaves the status of Jaric up in the air, particularly since there exist both stories announcing his departure and announcing his return. I wish I could read Spanish. (I keep meaning to, but it's a bit like my Parkour dream. I want to be good at Parkour, and believe I could be good at Parkour, but have made absolutely no effort to be good at Parkour, and thus am no good at Parkour. It's on the list, though.)

[Lorenzen] Wright's other newsworthy contribution recently was when he sold his house in Memphis to Warriors guard Monta Ellis, fuelling speculation that the Grizzlies might be lining up a deal for him. The Grizzlies subsequently denied this, although if I were them, I wouldn't rule it out completely. Although it would sure be nice to have Marko Jaric's expiring contract right now.

- Marko Jaric

Jaric was another player to have been bought out midseason. His contract was the price Memphis paid for swapping Kevin Love for O.J. Mayo, a trade which they did OK in but probably didn't win. Unable to get a trade done for Jaric and his two years of remaining guaranteed salary, Memphis bought him out for a small saving, and Jaric went to Spain around Christmas time. Jaric is not the primary ballhandler at Real - that honour goes to Pablo Prigioni - but he's able to play the point forward role that has always suited him best. In ACB play, Jaric is averaging 10.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game, dropping to 7.7/4.0/1.6 in the Euroleague.