"When they first told me about the trade, I thought I was joking around. But then, ESPN reported it and I knew it was true."

Mayo said he met everyone from the Memphis organization June 21.

Arthur said he was having a draft party with friends when he found out he was traded. About that time, he said, Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay walked in.

Arthur didn't think his kidney would be a problem. He had bloodwork done in Washington the day before the draft and said there was no problem.

--Entering the draft, Griz majority owner Michael Heisley emphasized he would have the final say on the Grizzlies' picks and not general manager Chris Wallace.

"For the first time, I'm having major input," Heisley said. "Like a lot of owners, I reserve the right to approve or not approve any decisions. I'm not comfortable with people getting the idea that I'm going to be like a George Steinbrenner (the New York Yankees' owner). That's not my style."

Once upon a time, Heisley left the draft day decision-making to team presidents Dick Versace and Jerry West. But no more.

"I feel like after (eight years of ownership) that I've got something to offer," Heisley said. "Do I know as much as Chris Wallace? No. Do I know as much as Marc (Iavaroni, head coach)? No. This is about me making sure I understand the rationale behind whatever we do."

Heisley said he is committed to putting a competitive team in the floor.

"Our target is three years," Heisley said. "We can't use anyone 30 years old when we get to that point. Until we put a winning team on the floor, we're not going to be popular. I'm willing to take the heat for the decisions."

--The Grizzlies were looking at draft day deals with Miami, Minnesota, Charlotte and Denver.

But none of them made sense. The Heat wanted the Grizzlies to give up their last two No. 1 draft choices -- Rudy Gay and Mike Conley -- and this year's No. 5 pick to move up to No. 2 and take Michael Beasley.

The Grizzlies might have been desperate, but they weren't stupid.

"My job is to improve this team," Wallace said. "We just have to make good, sound decisions. I feel no added pressure because of all the criticism and flak we've taken over the Pau (Gasol) trade.

Wallace said he entertained draft offers up until he made the pick for Kevin Love. The deal breaker, in most cases, was that other teams wanted forward Rudy Gay, the Grizzlies' best player.

"When people want Rudy Gay, it's too much," said Wallace, who made a deal with Minnesota for O.J. Mayo because the T-Wolves didn't want Gay.

--Though it can't become official until July 1 when teams can talk to free agents, there is going to be another Gasol in Memphis.

Marc Gasol, Pau's 7-1, 270-pound young brother whose rights were acquired in a larger deal for his older brother, indicated he's leaning toward signing a three-year deal worth $9 million.

"I've got a good opportunity and I'll give it a try. I'm excited about it," said Gasol, whose brother, Pau, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. "In the United States basketball is different; it gets played differently. The best centers are there, there's another rhythm of play and another rhythm of life."

The Grizzlies received Gasol's rights along with Kwame Brown (and his expiring $9 million contract), Javaris Crittenton and the Lakers' 28th pick. Gasol was originally the 48th overall pick by the Lakers in the 2007 draft.

Gasol would split playing time with Darko Milicic, a free-agent signee last season at an average salary of $7 million over three years.

Gasol averaged 16.2 points on 66 percent shooting to go with 7.8 rebounds for Akasvayu Girona. NBA scouts are impressed that Gasol can score in the paint with hooks and short jump shots because of his soft hands.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "The first time I saw him was at the ABCD camp when he was in high school, and I thought he could have a Chanucey Billups-type career. He has a drive and a passion about the game, like a bit of the Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Michael Jordan zeal to improve." -- GM Chris Wallace on O.J. Mayo