Memphis Grizzlies general managerChris Wallace says the team and veteran guard Steve Francis have agreed 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 Grizzlies. But he never traveled with the team or sat on the bench at home games.
Francis is scheduled to earn $2.64 million this year in the final year of his contract.
In other NBA news:
Jerry Sloan will return as the coach of the Utah Jazz for the 2009-2010 season. The Jazz said that Sloan, the longest-tenured coach in NBA history, agreed to a one-year contract extension that will mark his 22nd season at Utah. Details of the contract were not available.
Amare Stoudemire
scored 31 points,Steve Nashhad a season-high 18 assists and the Phoenix Suns beat host Toronto, 117-113, their ninth consecutive victory over the struggling Raptors.
Dwyane Wade had 32 points and 10 assists to help the Miami Heat beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-94 to end an extended road trip on a positive note. Kevin Durant had 31 points for the Thunder.
