The Memphis Grizzlies signed veteran guard Toney Douglas by using a roster spot created by the NBA's hardship exception, the team announced Monday.
Douglas, who has averaged 7.8 points and 2.3 assists while playing for six teams in seven NBA seasons, will help fill the void created by point guard Mike Conley's absence. Conley is expected to miss six to eight weeks while recovering from transverse process fractures in his lower back.
Douglas, 30, was cut by the Cleveland Cavaliers in October. He played for the New Orleans Pelicans last season, averaging 8.7 points and 2.6 assists in 61 games.
Guards Will Bynum and Kendall Marshall also worked out for the Grizzlies, who have gone 2-1 in their first three games without Conley with rookies Andrew Harrison and Wade Baldwin splitting time at point guard.
The NBA's hardship exception allows teams to temporarily create an extra roster spot if it has at least four players who are sick or injured for at least two weeks. The Grizzlies are currently missing six rotation players -- Conley, Chandler Parsons (left knee), Zach Randolph (personal), James Ennis (calf), Vince Carter (hip) and Brandan Wright (ankle) -- all of whom will have missed at least four games after Memphis faces the Pelicans on Monday.
