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Ronald Tillery: Griz just announced they've signed center Hamed Haddadi Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Hamed Haddadi 

The Griz are on the verge of re-signing backup center Hamed Haddadi, general manager Chris Wallace confirmed. Haddadi, an unrestricted free agent, attended the game after arriving in Memphis from Dubai earlier in the day. The Griz are expected to sign Haddadi to a one-year deal. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Chris Wallace, Hamed Haddadi 

Releasing Skinner is likely a precursor to the Griz bringing back reserve center Hamed Haddadi. A source with knowledge of the situation told The Commercial Appeal that Haddadi is scheduled to arrive in Memphis with a tourism visa today or tomorrow. The 7-foot Iranian has been in Dubai trying to obtain a work visa. But that already tedious effort stalled when the Griz withdrew their $2 million qualifying offer from Haddadi. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Brian Skinner, Hamed Haddadi 

So here's the strategy: Haddadi returns to Memphis and signs a one-year deal that will pay him between $1 and $1.5 million this season. Once employed, the hope is that Haddadi will be granted a work visa by traveling to Canada for an interview with the U.S. Embassy a la the Marc Gasol experience. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Brian Skinner, Hamed Haddadi 

Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace confirmed Thursday that the team withdrew its $2 million qualifying offer from Haddadi, a 7-footer who hails from Iran. The move makes Haddadi, 26, an unrestricted free agent. He can sign with any NBA team without the Griz having a right to match offers. The Grizzlies' decision was primarily based on finances as they are trying to remain comfortably below the league's $70 million luxury tax. It is possible that the Griz and Haddadi will negotiate a multi-year deal, paying between $1 and $1.5 million per season. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Hamed Haddadi, Iran 

However, Haddadi's biggest obstacle isn't earning playing time. It's making his way back to the U.S. from Iran. He is in Dubai trying to finalize the immigration process, meaning Haddadi has missed every Griz practice since training camp began Dec. 9. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Hamed Haddadi, Iran 

The Grizzlies withdrew a $2 million qualifying offer to reserve center Hamed Haddadi, general manager Chris Wallace confirmed today. Haddadi, a 7-footer who hails from Iran, is now an unrestricted free agent. He can sign with any NBA team without the Grizzlies having a right to match offers. The Grizzlies’ decision was for salary cap reasons as the team tries to avoid becoming a luxury-tax payer in the NBA this season. It is believed that Haddadi will still sign with the Grizzlies for less than $2 million. First, Haddadi must make his way to the United States and be granted a work visa. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Hamed Haddadi 

Ronald Tillery: Griz have rescinded $2 million qualifying offer for center Hamed Haddadi, who is still in Dubai. Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Hamed Haddadi 

Hamed Haddadi: my agent @MayarZokaei tells me some info about tebow every weeks. he is playing like he is a memphis grizzlies ;) Twitter

Memphis Grizzlies, NFL, Hamed Haddadi 

Hamed Haddadi: wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww chris + kobe... ALMOST as good as conley + gay :)) Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Hamed Haddadi 

While the Griz will attempt to also re-sign Shane Battier and Hamed Haddadi, coach Lionel Hollins has said that he would like to add someone who can play power forward and center. The idea would be to use that big man alongside Arthur so that Randolph and Gasol can rest at the same time. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Hamed Haddadi, Shane Battier 

Locked-out Grizzly Hamed Haddadi's ex has filed a civil suit against the athlete. The suit comes after Haddadi was charged with assaulting her last thanksgiving. He pled not guilty to the charges. The woman, was also charged in the incident, but had the charges dropped. She's seeking $250,000 in damages. My FOX Memphis

Memphis Grizzlies, Law, Hamed Haddadi 

Memphis Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi joined Melli Haffari basketball team on Tuesday. The Ahvaz-based basketball team signed Haddadi on a short-term contract for an undisclosed fee. Tehran Times

Memphis Grizzlies, Lockout, Hamed Haddadi, Iran 

Memphis Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi is likely to join Mahram Basketball team, according to the reports released by the Iranian media on Sunday. Haddadi, who failed to inspire Iran to win its third successive championship in Asia in late September, is now negotiating with Mahram. Tehran Times

Memphis Grizzlies, Lockout, Hamed Haddadi, Iran 

Iran's players have turned on teammate Hamed Haddadi after some crucial mistakes by the Memphis Grizzlies centre in their shock quarter-final 88-84 loss to Jordan at the Asian Championships. A day after defeat denied Iran a berth at the London Olympics, the two-time reigning regional champs spoke to the media after taking out their frustrations with a 98-66 consolation-round drubbing of Taiwan. "Hamed is good but sometimes not all the big NBA players can play good, he missed some shots and had some bad passes," point guard Mahdi Kamrany said. "We are very disappointed, but that happens, that is basketball. The loss was very bad for my country, we just couldn't make it happen." google.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Hamed Haddadi, Iran 

Before Iran came crashing back to earth, the giant Haddadi had promised another regional crown for Iran and proclaimed himself the best centre in Asia after Chinese superstar Yao Ming retired in July. "We will be champions, our biggest opponent is China, but we can beat them," Chinese media widely quoted Haddadi as saying. His comments did not help Iran's cause, said forward Samad Bahrami. "The media, the reporters, they helped Iran lose, they keep saying 'you are the best, you are the best', we had too much pressure," Bahrami told AFP. google.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Hamed Haddadi, Iran 

Iran's players have turned on teammate Hamed Haddadi after some crucial mistakes by the Memphis Grizzlies centre in their shock quarter-final 88-84 loss to Jordan at the Asian Championships. A day after defeat denied Iran a berth at the London Olympics, the two-time reigning regional champs spoke to the media after taking out their frustrations with a 98-66 consolation-round drubbing of Taiwan. google.com

Memphis Grizzlies, FIBA, Hamed Haddadi, Iran 

"Hamed is good but sometimes not all the big NBA players can play good, he missed some shots and had some bad passes," point guard Mahdi Kamrany said. "We are very disappointed, but that happens, that is basketball. The loss was very bad for my country, we just couldn't make it happen." google.com

Memphis Grizzlies, FIBA, Hamed Haddadi, Iran 

"We will be champions, our biggest opponent is China, but we can beat them," Chinese media widely quoted Haddadi as saying. His comments did not help Iran's cause, said forward Samad Bahrami. "The media, the reporters, they helped Iran lose, they keep saying 'you are the best, you are the best', we had too much pressure," Bahrami told AFP. "The best player in Asia is the player that wins the championship, you cannot say that one player is the best in Asia when his team finishes sixth or seventh. "Hamed is a very good player, but we should find the best player in the final." google.com

Memphis Grizzlies, FIBA, Hamed Haddadi, Iran 

The Grizzlies will practice together all week minus Darrell Arthur and their foreign teammates. Marc Gasol, Greivis Vasquez and Hamed Haddadi are playing with their national teams in Olympic-qualifying tournaments. "I've been prepared all summer to do this," Conley said. "It's my job as the point guard. I want to be one of the leaders on the team. And guys did a great job of keeping their word and coming in on time ready to work. "We found a good week when everybody could come back to Memphis and get some work in. We're going to do it again going forward. We're going to take weeks during the lockout to get together. It might be here. It might be in Las Vegas. Wherever we can get guys to meet and we can get a gym." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Greivis Vasquez, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Hamed Haddadi