Memphis is alive this morning. Zach from 3 Shades of Blue sends along this rumor by Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal, writing on the paper's "Memphis Edge" blog.

Before trading for the 20th pick, the Charlotte Bobcats asked Memphis to take anyone on their roster for the No. 5 pick. It's something that hasn't been completely ruled out. Now that Charlotte owns the ninth and 20th picks, don't be shocked if the Griz agreed to take players plus the ninth and 20th picks for the fifth and 28th selections.

It isn't apparent whether the Grizzlies would be sending their own player back in such a deal; they don't have to, as both squads are under the cap a decent amount -- Jason Richardson would be the only guy who'd make too much to be traded to Memphis for nothing but picks.

And that's irrelevant, apparently: the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell says J-Rich is the only untouchable Bobcat. In a separate story, Bonnell also bolsters the Memphis rumors, noting that "several NBA sources identified the Memphis Grizzlies ... as the team most willing to deal down."

Emeka Okafor couldn't be the Grizzlies' choice, as he's a restricted free agent. Gerald Wallace, though ... imagine him next to Rudy Gay. Frederic Weis just peed himself. Tillery also says Memphis has called Dallas about Josh Howard, who seems like a dark-horse trade candidate no one's talking about all of a sudden.