After working out for the Grizz this morning, free agent guard Gilbert Arenas impressed team executives and is close to signing a deal for the rest of the season. The Commercial Appeal has the details: “Arenas appeared slender and shot the ball well during the workout. He is scheduled to take a physical this afternoon. All that would remain is for Arenas to pass the physical and agree to a prorated veteran’s minimum contract requiring the Griz to pay about $300,000. The deal, if completed in the next day or two, would allow Arenas to join the Grizzlies later this week in Portland. The Griz begin a four-game West Coast trip tomorrow at Sacramento. Arenas, 30, has been unemployed since finishing last season with the Orlando Magic. He worked out for the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this season but they declined to make him an offer. Even though Arenas averaged a career-worst 10.8 points a game and shot 36.6-percent in 2010-11 while playing for the Magic and Washington Wizards, the Griz are willing to give him a look because rookies Jeremy Pargo and Josh Selby haven’t inspired confidence as understudies for starting point guard Mike Conley. The hope is that a 6-4 Arenas would provide quality backcourt depth. He is a three-time All-Star who averaged 21.2 points and 5.4 assists 10 NBA seasons.”
