Miles entered the Grizzlies' loss against the Utah Jazz at the start of the second period Friday night, marking his 10th NBA appearance this season. That means the $18 million Miles is owed for this season and next will be applied to the Portland Trail Blazers' salary cap.

"I don't want to get into that," Miles said after amassing 10 points and seven rebounds in his fourth appearance with the Grizzlies . "I just want to play."

Portland waived Miles last April after a doctor jointly appointed by the league and its players' association deemed Miles' 2006 knee injury career ending. But Miles' comeback began with six preseason appearances with the Boston Celtics.

Miles is working on a 10-day contract with Memphis.

The Griz must decide after their game Monday with Detroit whether to offer Miles another 10-day contract. He will become an unrestricted free agent, giving him the ability to sign with any team after that game.

Miles has said his preference is to remain with the Griz, who have not ruled out keeping the 6-9 forward for the rest of the season.

Miles, who made five of eight shots against the Jazz , is confident he's making a good enough impression for teams to give him an opportunity.

"I'm starting to get my legs back," Miles said. "I already got my missed dunk out of the way."

Francis buyout?

Griz general manager Chris Wallace said the team and veteran guard Steve Francis mutually agreed earlier this week to negotiate a contract buyout. Francis hasn't been with the team in more than a week and is in Houston with his family.

He occasionally practiced with the Griz. But he never traveled with the team or sat on the bench at home games.

"I'm not sure when it will happen, but we're working out (a buyout)," Wallace said. "With older guys, it's always a possibility that you'd head in this direction."

Francis, 31, is scheduled to earn $2.64 million this season, the final year of his contract.

Sellout looming

The Grizzlies' Jan. 31 game against the Los Angeles Lakers is close to a sellout, according to team officials. The Grizzlies haven't officially sold out a game in some time, and team officials anticipate that tickets will be hard to come by in the coming week at the current sales rate.

Tip-in: Veteran swingman Quinton Ross sat out a second straight game with back spasm. Ross' status is day-to-day; the Griz have not put a timetable on his return.

- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353