Nick

Calathes

Calathes’ contract in Greece finally expires this summer, and with the Mavericks’ PG position in flux they are interested in what he can offer. Even if he somehow makes the team, though, he’s an extreme longshot to have fantasy value.

The 2009 draft pick was set to play for Dallas in Summer League, but those plans appear to be dead if he is in fact staying overseas. It’s not official, but it does appear that Calathes may never play in the NBA.

Law spent the season playing in Greece, and the 2007 No. 11 overall pick is still looking for a way back to the NBA. The report also suggests that Nick Calathes could be on Dallas’ radar as well. The Mavericks hold Calathes’ draft rights.

The Mavs traded a second-round pick for Calathes on draft night in 2009, with the knowledge that he’d already signed with a team in Greece. He played well for Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos and could very well make the Mavs’ roster, but fantasy owners should avoid him -- for the 2011-12 season he shot just 27.9 percent from 3-point range, and a miserable 53.6 percent from the FT line.

Calathes played for PBC Lokomotiv-Kuban in Russia last season, where he posted 12.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. His 6'6" frame gives him great size for a PG, but Dallas is willing to part with him now that Jose Calderon and Gal Mekel are under contract.

The deal is worth “just under $2 million” and the second year will be a team option. Calathes adds affordable backcourt depth for Memphis and he has extensive experience playing overseas, but minutes may be hard to find as long as Mike Conley and Jerryd Bayless are healthy.

He continues to start for Mike Conley (ankle) and continues to be a nearly must-own player, despite tonight’s struggles. He’s averaging 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.75 steals and 1.5 3-pointers over his last four games, and should continue to be relevant for as long as Conley is out.

Teague has been playing well lately, but couldn’t get it going tonight against Memphis, despite the fact Mike Conley was out with an ankle injury. And even though Teague was benched late, neither Shelvin Mack nor Dennis Schroder got off the bench for Atlanta, as the unconventional Nick Calathes was playing the point for Memphis. Teague is fine and will bounce back from this, so just consider it an off night.

Conley is out of his walking boot and able to run, though his ankle is still swollen. He will not play on Saturday or Sunday but this is a very encouraging update, as he reportedly is “looking better than expected.” Nick Calathes has been solid as a fill-in PG in his absence, and fantasy owners should enjoy the production while it lasts.

He has a fracture to the tarsal navicular bone in his right foot. The Grizzlies are having some bad luck with the injury bug and continue to lose depth. Pondexter got the start at shooting guard on Saturday with Tony Allen (hip) hurt, so they are really down to just Jerryd Bayless and Nick Calathes for options at the two until Allen gets back. Mike Miller and Jamaal Franklin could also see some time at shooting guard.