Grizzlies guarantee Nick Calathes’ contract

Nick Calathes declined a more lucrative contract in Europe last year to prove he could play in the NBA. The Grizzlies’ backup point guard is doing it again.

This time, it’s an involuntary decision.

The Grizzlies guaranteed Calathes’ $816,482 contract for the 2014-15 season Tuesday, ensuring the 25-year-old’s return to Memphis. Calathes’ contract situation became intriguing because he had at least two multi-year offers totaling more than $6 million in Europe.

“It’s OK,” Calathes said Tuesday. “I’ll come back and play my (butt) off.”