Norris Cole: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation on Shandong Golden Stars PG
Free-agent point guard Norris Cole is plying his trade in China with the Shandong Golden Stars, but he could be making his way back to the NBA this season.
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Grizzlies Interested in Cole
Tuesday, Nov. 29
According to Basketball Insiders' Michael Scotto, the Memphis Grizzlies have "expressed interest" in Cole after starting point guard Mike Conley suffered a back injury.
Grizzlies.com's Michael Wallace reported that Conley could miss up to six weeks.
Cole May Still Bring Value to NBA Team
Cole hasn't played in the NBA since last season as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans, which was his fifth year in the league.
In his NBA career, he averaged 7.1 points and 2.8 assists in 22.7 minutes per game.
The 28-year-old spent the first three-and-a-half years of his career with the Miami Heat, who drafted him 28th overall in 2011, becoming a solid backcourt option off the bench.
After winning a pair of titles with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Cole was dealt to the Pelicans midway through the 2014-15 season with free agency looming.
While the Pelicans brought him back for one season last year, he was not picked up over the summer. It forced him to sign with Shandong in October on a one-year deal.
But the Grizzlies' need for production at the 1 without Conley could call Cole back to the United States. Memphis is a completely different team without its starter, via ESPN Stats & Info:
At the moment, the Grizzlies would have to rely on Wade Baldwin IV, who is averaging 3.5 points per game in his rookie season.
Cole isn't nearly the same kind of offensive weapon as Conley, but when healthy, he has an ability to lead an offense as the floor general and adds scoring flair.
He also has a previous history with Memphis head coach David Fizdale. According to Scotto, Fizdale was an assistant with the Heat while Cole was in Miami.
If Cole proves he's good to go in the NBA, then he could be a nice addition to Memphis' backcourt as the ultimate damage control without Conley.
