AROUND THE NBA

The Vancouver Grizzlies are only one step away from moving to Memphis, Tenn., and local basketball boosters believe it’s a short step.

The NBA’s relocation committee approved the move Thursday. Now, the league’s Board of Governors has until Tuesday to cast the final vote.

Jason Williams’ departure from the Sacramento Kings was every bit as surprising and dramatic as the stylish passes and shots that made him famous.

In a draft-day trade that wasn’t completed until hours after the draft, the Kings traded Williams--their high-profile starting point guard for the past three seasons--and Nick Anderson to the Vancouver Grizzlies for guards Mike Bibby and Brent Price.

“[Mike] gets to the free-throw line, and he goes to the basket,” King Coach Rick Adelman said. “He’s obviously a good shooter, and at this stage in his career, he’s a better all-around player than Jason.”

John Thompson, former Georgetown coach and current Turner Sports analyst, said the latest NBA draft sent a negative message about the importance of education and was “a frightening sign of things to come.”

A day after three high schoolers were among the first four picks in the draft, Thompson said the impact would be widespread, particularly among minorities and the poor.

In recent weeks, Thompson has called on the NBA to adopt an age minimum of 20 to give players an opportunity to reach emotional maturity.