HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Griz pursued Williams at the behest of team owner Michael Heisley, whose reverence for the veteran can be traced to Memphis acquiring him from Sacramento in a 2001 trade. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Williams, Michael Heisley 

The Grizzlies have expressed a strong desire to acquire point guard Jason Williams. The only question now is whether the feeling is mutual. Williams was released Wednesday by the Orlando Magic -- the Grizzlies' opponent tonight in FedExForum. Williams cleared waivers last weekend but has yet to sign with another team as an unrestricted free agent, and he appears in no hurry to join the Griz. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Jason Williams 

Memphis (24-24) wanted to claim Williams off waivers and assume the one-year contract he signed with Orlando before the start of this season. But Williams asked the Grizzlies to not claim him, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. Memphis obliged, and Williams apparently will consider suitors with stronger postseason possibilities before agreeing to terms with the Grizzlies. Memphis is willing to sign Williams for the remainder of the season. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Jason Williams 

The Heat haven't had any significant internal discussions about a reunion with Jason Williams, who was released by Orlando and appears headed to Memphis. The Grizzlies' interest in Williams only increased with word that O.J. Mayo has been suspended 10 games for taking a banned supplement -- the same one that resulted in Rashard Lewis being suspended in 2009. CBSSports.com

Miami Heat, Free Agency, Jason Williams 

The Heat haven't had any internal discussions of significance about Williams; despite their limitations, Miami seems content with the point- guard platoon of Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo. The latest, as you know, is that the Grizzlies have serious interest -- especially now that O.J. Mayo has been suspended 10 games for using a banned supplement. CBSSports.com

Miami Heat, Free Agency, Jason Williams 

Even before news broke that O.J. Mayo received a 10-game suspension for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy, the Grizzlies made contact with Jason Williams. Yes, J-Will. The Griz are interested in bringing the point guard back to Memphis after he clears waivers. Orlando released Williams Wednesday night. The Griz only want to make sure that there are no medical/injury issues dogging the 12th-year veteran. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Williams 

Talks are serious and perhaps the only way the Griz don't sign Williams is if he gets an offer to play for a playoff contender. Orlando swooped in the last two times the Griz showed interest. But if there are no takers, look for J-Will to join the Griz. Heisley likes J-Will as much as he does Allen Iverson. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Williams 

Griz owner Michael Heisley is a major fan of his talent and was not happy when Jerry West shipped him to Miami in 2005. This would be the third time Heisley has tried to re-sign Williams since he left. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Jason Williams, Michael Heisley 

The Orlando Magic didn't want Jason Williams' tenure with the team to end this way. But the team waived the 12-year NBA veteran after he chose not to join the team on its current road trip. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jason Williams 

"I think it came to a point to where [he didn't see] the opportunity to play, and it was tough for him," Magic President of Basketball Operations Otis Smith said. "To be quite frank with you, it was tough for him from Day One. But, still, I wish him well. "We had conversations with him along the way dealing with the issue of playing or not playing, but it's the same conversation I have with everybody else on our team. It's no different with guys who are not playing. But it was a little bit tougher for him to go from playing major minutes for us in a year past and then not playing at all." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jason Williams 

Williams, 35, hopes to latch on with another team. "This is a buyout that's been discussed for some time," said Williams' agent, Dan Tobin. "It's mutually beneficial. They'll have three quality point guards instead of four and it'll give him an opportunity to play elsewhere when that opportunity presents itself. He's not retiring. "For him, it's about playing basketball." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jason Williams 

The Orlando Magic waived Jason Williams on Wednesday after the reserve point guard did not join the team on its current two-game road trip. Williams participated in the team's practice Tuesday at Amway Center. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jason Williams 

Art Garcia: Mavs tell me they likely have no interest in waived PG Jason Williams. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Jason Williams 

Asked if (Jason) Williams has asked for his release, Smith said, "Not so much in those terms. You say his 'release,' we're not into giving guys their release. He signed a contract to play basketball for the Orlando Magic, and we're expecting him to uphold his end of that deal." Asked if Williams is balking at his limited playing time or is facing a personal issue, Smith said, "From what I gather, he's facing more of a personal issue. I don't know if he wants more playing time. That was talked to him about before we signed him. When we signed him, we signed him as a third point guard. That didn't necessarily change." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jason Williams 

Reserve point guard Jason Williams did not join the Orlando Magic on their two-game road trip to face the Indiana Pacers tonight and the Chicago Bulls on Friday night, leaving his status with the team up in the air. When asked about Williams' status after the Magic's shootaround today at Conseco Fieldhouse, the team's president of basketball operations, Otis Smith, responded: "Well, he's not with the team. We'll deal with him when we get back to Orlando." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jason Williams 

Josh Robbins: I'm told that Jason Williams participated in the #Orlando #Magic shootaround this morning. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Jason Williams 

The club has been saying that J-Will is dealing with a personal matter, not a personnel matter, but I didn't get that impression from Magic CEO Bob Vander Weide. I asked Vander Weide at halftime as he hurried to his seat whether Williams would be back this season, and he said, "It's in discussion." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jason Williams 

We hope that all is well in the Williams house if there is a crisis. But it gives you pause when J-Will shows up in Gainesville to take in a Florida Gators game last weekend when the Magic were playing that night in Minneapolis against the Timberwolves. But clearly, Williams has not been happy with his current role, which is no role. His teammates will confirm that, not surprisingly. It's as if he's on paid leave. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jason Williams 

It was a curious answer if indeed Williams has had pressing personal reasons. Vander Weide said that Williams could be promoted from fourth point guard to No. 3 "if we make a move" involving Duhon, who isn't playing either, but has more marketability than the 35-year-old J-Will. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Jason Williams 

Smith said that he hasn't received any trade requests from Richardson, Duhon or Williams. "It's actually been the other way around," Smith said. "They've come to me and asked not to be traded." Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Trade, Chris Duhon, Jason Williams, Otis Smith, Quentin Richardson