July 5, 2003

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - The Memphis Grizzlies signed first-round draft picks Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones to three-year contracts Saturday night.

Bell, the 16th overall selection, can make no more than $3.45 million in his first three years, as per the NBA's sliding pay scale for first-rounders, while Jones, taken 20th, can make no more than $2.85 million.

Memphis will have the option to sign each player to a fourth year, the team said.

Both guards were drafted by Boston, but the Celtics traded their rights to Memphis for the rights to guard Marcus Banks and center Kendrick Perkins.

Bell was a two-time Big East player of the year at Boston College, averaging 25 points a game his senior year.

Jones led Duke in scoring last season with 17.7 points a game.