Calathes plans to return to the NBA for the 2018-19 season, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Calathes' last NBA action came during the 2014-15 campaign with the Grizzlies, when he averaged 4.2 points, 2.5 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals across 14.4 minutes. He's since been playing overseas, most recently establishing himself as an MVP candidate for Panathinaikos of the EuroLeague. With Panathinaikos, Calathes has averaged 14.5 points, 8.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds, which has now resulted in plenty of interest from NBA teams. Because of his improvement as a playmaker, Calathes is expected to have multiple NBA suitors once free agency opens, though he'll likely have to settle for a backup role in most situations.

Calathes has elected to remain with Panathinaikos of the Greek Basketball League for the 2016-17 season, international basketball writer David Pick reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Kings were apparently exploring the possibility of luring Calathes back to the NBA due to his familiarity with new head man Dave Joerger, who had previously coached the point guard during his time with the Grizzlies. However, with Calathes entering the second season of a three-year, $7 million pact with Panathinaikos, the 27-year-old elected to stay in Europe, where he'll likely earn a higher salary than he would have at the NBA level. Calathes could entertain a return to North America in 2017-18 if he continues to perform well for the Greek club during the upcoming campaign.

Calathes signed a three-year. $7 million deal with the Greek basketball club Panathinaikos on Tuesday. While Calathes did officially sign the deal, he does have an NBA out clause until July 15, giving him the opportunity to strike a deal with a team until then. However, the more likely scenario is that Calathes doesn't receive many competitive offers and goes through with playing overseas, where he will likely serve a much larger role. In 58 games with the Grizzlies last season, Calathes averaged 4.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in just over 14 minutes per game.

Calathes is a restricted free agent after the Grizzlies extended a qualifying offer to him on Tuesday, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders reports. This doesn't mean that the team is going to keep Calathes, as Memphis has reportedly been looking at the option of a sign and trade with the point guard should Calathes sign the offer sheet worth around $1.4 million. Regardless of how it happens, it is unlikely Calathes is back with the team's crowded point guard position consisting of Mike Conley, Ben Udrih and the newly acquired Andrew Harrison.

Calathes clarified Monday that he plans to remain in the NBA, HoopsHype reports. "The NBA is my first priority," Calathes said. The restricted-free-agent-to-be played previously in Europe, and some speculation has recently surfaced suggesting he could return to play overseas next season. A Spanish report earlier in the week noted that Calathes had allegedly been offered a deal by FC Barcelona, but the backup point guard is yet to comment on the situation. Take Calathes' words at face value, but at this point it appears he'll seek another NBA contract before returning to Europe becomes a true option.

Calathes averaged 4.2 points (42.1 FG, 25.6 3Pt, 53.3 FT), 1.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.1 blocks in 14 minutes per game during 58 regular season games in 2014-15. Calathes started the season finishing serving his suspension (Tamoxifen), and failed to overtake Beno Udrih for the backup point guard role, playing two fewer minutes per game than as a rookie in 2013-14. In 10 postseason games Calathes averaged 3.3 points (33.3 FG, 46.2 3Pt, 37.5 FT), 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.1 blocks in 13 minutes per game. The 26-year-old defensive specialist is set to become a free agent this summer.

Calathes did not receive any playing time in the Grizzlies' Game 2 win versus the Warriors on Tuesday. With Mike Conley (face) able to play 27 minutes and Beno Udrih (ankle) earning the remaining 21 minutes at point guard in Game 2, it appears Calathes might have a hard time finding the floor this series now that Conley has returned.

Calathes struggled with zero points (0-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 0-2 FT), one rebound, two assists and three steals in 21 minutes during the Grizzlies' 101-86 loss versus the Warriors on Sunday. To add insult to injury Calathes also turned the ball over three times. It's possible Calathes will retain his starting spot if Mike Conley (face) is unable to play in Game 2 on Tuesday. However, Beno Udrih (ankle) saw only 19 minutes in Game 1 and could take on a larger load of minutes. Further, the Grizzlies experimented running a no-point guard lineup late in Game 1.

Calathes will start at point guard Monday with Mike Conley (face) out. Calathes played 27 minutes in Saturday's Game 3 win over Portland after Conley was forced out of the game. Calathes put up 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists in the game. Ben Udrih (ankle) arrived to the arena in a boot, but he will play off the bench.

Calathes went for 13 points (4-9 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-6 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one block in 27 minutes during the Grizzlies' 115-109 win versus the Blazers on Saturday. Calathes was forced to step up with Mike Conley (face) and Beno Udrih (ankle) injured, and he delivered an impressive showing. Though Udrih will return to action and start Game 4 on Monday, Conley is without a timetable for his return. Expect Calathes to continue to seeing extended minutes so long as the Grizzlies back-court is banged up.