Zach Randolph to Pistons rumor shot down by agent

Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph / AP Photo via MLive.com

Sports Illustrated speculated in this week’s issue that Memphis Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph, an All-Star with an $84 million contract that expires at the end of this season, could be shipped off to Detroit.

Randolph’s agent, however, squashed those rumblings the next day, according to The Memphis Edge.

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press thinks a deal could work. The Grizzlies are trying to clear big contracts after extending Rudy Gay and Mike Conley, and Randolph would be a sorely needed scorer and rebounder in the post for the Pistons (after averaging 20 and 10 the last two seasons). It’s a low-risk deal for the Pistons, too, as they could either extend Randolph’s contract or let him walk at the end of the season.

But the Life On Dumars blog thinks there’s “no conceivable way” a deal gets done, in part because the Grizzlies would be left with a thin frontcourt.

At the very least, Ellis notes, it’s more plausible than the Tayshaun Prince for Jamal Crawford rumors from earlier this week.