Southwest Notes: Demps, Williams, Conley

The Pelicans have rescheduled GM Dell Demps‘ press conference, which was originally set for today, to an unspecified later date, Brett Dawson of The Advocate relays in a series of tweets. New Orleans has not made any final decision regarding Demps’ future with the team and evaluations of the rest of his staff are still ongoing, though current indications are that the executive will remain in his post for next season, Dawson adds. The front office personnel in New Orleans are still in a holding pattern as the team continues its evaluations, but the general feeling among the staff is that their posts are safe despite no definitive calls being made yet, Scott Kushner of The Advocate adds (via Twitter).

Here’s more from the Southwest Division:

• Mavs coach Rick Carlisle praised the play of Deron Williams, who averaged 14.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 65 appearances this season for Dallas, as Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News relays. “He had a very strong year,” Carlisle said of Williams. “He played great basketball for us. The only thing that derailed him were some health issues.” The point guard is done for the remainder of the playoffs with a sports hernia and may need offseason surgery to correct the issue, Sefko notes. Williams has a player option for 2016/17 worth $5,621,026, but he could become an unrestricted free agent if he chooses to opt out.
• Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, made a number of comments regarding Memphis’ future that bode well for him re-signing with the franchise, Geoff Calkins of The Commercial Appeal relays in a series of tweets. “We’re all invested. We’re invested in each other, we’re invested in the community,” Conley told reporters. “We’re going into next season with a lot of room to make improvements. We feel like we’re all in this together and we have been since day one.“
• Swingman Lance Stephenson, whose contract includes a rare team option worth $9.405MM for next season, said he’s found a home with the Grizzlies and wants to remain with the team next season, Peter Edmiston of WHBQ-AM tweets. The 25-year-old appeared in 26 games for Memphis after being acquired from the Clippers, averaging 14.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 26.6 minutes per outing.