CLEARLY disheartened to be waived by the Memphis Grizzlies, Jerome Jordan may have been hard done by rumuors indicating he had already made plans to play in the Far East.

With the Grizzlies’ US$26m over the salary-cap entering the 2012-13 NBA season and under new ownership, and Jordan, as a second year NBA player, will have to earn at least US$762,195, the writing was on the wall for the 26-year-old.

An Internet report had circulated that the Jamaican seven-footer had packed his bags and checked for China.

However, he was simply trying to find his feet in Memphis, making a strong case for a spot on the roster in the Grizzlies training camp.

Jordan himself struck down the rumours on the Grizzlies blog that he had agreed to employment anywhere.

“I know my agent has been talking to a bunch of teams. You know, as a worst-case scenario,” Jordan said. “I don’t know if there’s a deal, per se, in China. But it’s about making it in the NBA this year. I’m about trying to make it in the league and establish myself. I want to be around a long time.”

The Grizzlies appeared on board.

As one of six training camp players on non-guaranteed deals, Jordan seemed the most likely to stay around. Given, too, that forward Darrell Arthur would not be ready to start the regular season because of a broken left fibula, the Jamaican centre had his odds increased.

He also greatly impressed the Grizzlies coaching staff with his “athleticism, work ethic and boundless energy around the basket on both ends of the court”, according to the blog.

“He just keeps making the case that you guys have to keep looking at me,” Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. “He’s saying ‘I’m going to make your decision that much tougher for you.’ He’s done all we’ve asked and he’s gotten better each day he’s been here. He’s shown he can do it in the games. Guys like him deserve a shot in the NBA.”

The Grizzlies had 13 players with guaranteed contracts, though they could carry 15 and they way re over the NBA’s luxury-tax threshold.

Jordan’s minimum salary would count double on the team’s payroll, meaning he would earn $10,000-$14,000 a day so long as Memphis kept him, the Grizzlies blog revealed.

Even Griz general manager Chris Wallace weighed in on Jordan.

“… The guy has played well in several games. He’s got length, youth and athleticism. He’s improved. He’s a legit guy to have on an NBA team.”

The Grizzlies lost their opening match 92-101 to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and bounced back Friday beating Golden State Warriors 104-94. They will next play Utah Jazz on Monday.

While Jordan has shown versatility, his strength for Memphis would have been his presence upfront. His transition, blocking skills, rebounds and power finishes at the rim, along with pick- and-rolls, the heart of the team’s offence, make him a valuable assest in the NBA.

Grizzlies 7ft-1in centre Marc Gasol, added: He has good timing. He’s very long and he runs the floor very well. I think he’s a good player.”

The New York Knicks must have agreed when they reportedly paid $500,000 for Jordan’s second-round draft rights in 2010. Milwaukee made Jordan the 44th pick and immediately traded him. After playing overseas, Jordan joined the Knicks last season.

He was traded to Houston in a deal for Marcus Camby during the off-season. Jordan came to Memphis after Houston waived him this summer.

“My thing was just to come in here and play hard and see what happens,” Jordan said. “I’ve been taking the guys’ advice and it’s been working out so far. I never really got much of an opportunity (in New York). But I just kept working and grinding.

“I just want to keep learning. I’m taking in all of the criticism and advice from coaches. I’m trying to take what they have to offer and execute.”

Interestingly coach Hollins noted that “everybody who has a guaranteed contract in this league doesn’t deserve to be in the league” adding that Jordan and Mareese Speights had “done a good job together” in training.

As Jordan ponder his future in the 2012-13 NBA season, he will do what he has always done: “I play hard and bring it every day.”