not sure if you guys seen this story about jerry west and former grizzlies owner michael heisley when west was still the GM in memphis. it's about the erroneous six-year, $34 million deal that Brian Cardinal received in July 2004 after his "breakout" season of 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21 minutes.
Brian Cardinal: The man, the myth, the contract | Goethe's sports blog
'An exceptionally well-connected league insider once told me the story of how Brian Cardinal got his mid-level. Seems Memphis owner Michael Heisley, frustrated by general manager Jerry West’s lack of activity, walked into West’s office one day and asked why he hadn’t signed anyone yet. So an exasperated West picked up his phone, called Cardinal’s agent and offered the mid-level on the spot. Then he turned to Heisley and said something along the lines of "There, you happy now?"'