The Memphis Grizzlies are reportedly close to signing free agent combo guard Toney Douglas as the club is presently undermanned with six players sidelined because of various injuries.

ESPN reported that the Grizzlies are set to become eligible for a roster exemption with a half dozen of their players, including starting point guard Mike Conley, currently out. Conley suffered a vertebrae fracture during the team's 104-85 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Nov. 28 and is ruled out for 6 to 8 weeks.

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Memphis is said to be the frontrunner to sign Douglas, who played with the New Orleans Pelicans last season before being waived in July.

Douglas then signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers last month but was shortly waived after playing in five preseason games. He is now one of the most experienced guards available in the free-agent market.

Aside from Douglas, the Grizzlies have reportedly worked out with other free-agent guards Kendall Marshall and Will Bynum.

Douglas, 30, averaged 8.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 20.7 minutes per game in 61 games last season with the Pelicans. He started in 18 of those games.

The former Auburn and Florida State standout had played under current Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale with the Miami Heat in 2013-2014, averaging 4.2 points, 1.8 boards, and 2.0 assists per game in only 15.2 minutes of playing time a night. Fizdale was then the Heat's assistant coach.

SB Nation indicated that it "would not be surprising if Memphis signs the veteran point guard" as the team needs a veteran backup to rookie Andrew Harrison. Another rookie, Wade Baldwin IV, has been assigned to the D-League and is said to be not considered as the answer to the Grizzlies' current problems.

Other point guards who had played under Fizdale and are still available in the market today are Norris Cole and Mario Chalmers. Cole is currently playing for Chinese Basketball Association squad Shandong Golden Stars while Chalmers is still recuperating from the Achilles tendon injury he suffered in March.

TagsNBA News & Rumors, NBA News & Rumors 2016, Memphis Grizzlies, Toney Douglas, Memphis Grizzlies rumors