Former San Antonio Spurs guard Ray McCallum. (Photo : Getty Images)
Undermanned NBA team Memphis Grizzlies had signed free agent point guard Ray McCallum to a 10-day contract on Sunday to replace waived veteran playmaker Mario Chalmers who had recently suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.
The 24-year-old McCallum was also brought in to provide additional depth at the no. 1 guard spot as starting point guard Mike Conley was recently diagnosed with a left Achilles tendinitis as well, according to ESPN.
At this crucial point of the season, the Grizzlies had been plagued by injuries to most of its starters with center Marc Gasol out with a right foot injury and power forward Zach Randolph nursing a sore right knee.
Apart from the three starters, substitute big man Chris Andersen is also sidelined with a dislocated shoulder while shooting guard Jordan Adams and center-forward Brandan Wright are both recovering from different knee injuries.
As of the moment, head coach Dave Joerger is precariously relying on undrafted rookie Briante Weber from the NBA Developmental League's Sioux Falls SkyForce to play as their starting point guard with McCallum as the primary backup.
The 23-year-old former Virginia Commonwealth University standout has also been signed to a 10-day contract by the Grizzlies, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
McCallum, the 36th overall selection by the Sacramento Kings in the 2013 NBA Draft, was waived by the Spurs on Feb. 29 of this year to make room for San Antonio's signing of veteran point guard Andre Miller. He was acquired by Gregg Popovich's squad last summer through a trade with the Kings for a 2016 second-round pick.
He had multiple assignments for San Antonio's D-League team, the Austin Spurs, this season, although he suited up in 32 games for the five-time NBA champions, averaging 2.5 points, 1.1 boards, and 1.1 assists in only 8.8 minutes of playing time per night.
McCallum played two seasons for the Kings before his stint with the Spurs this season. He averaged 6.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 20.6 minutes per game for Sacramento during his first two years in the NBA.
The former Detroit Titans standout is set to experience his most challenging test in the league as he is almost required to contribute to a Grizzlies team in dire need of healthy bodies to keep afloat in the tough Western Conference.
At the same time, his stint in Memphis will be his best opportunity to showcase his real game to enhance his value moving forward.
