The Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves have both applied to switch from the western conference to the east.

The concept is that with the Hornets moving to New Orleans, it makes more sense for them to be in the east.  Less travel, Lower costs, more natural rivals.

The Memphis Commercial-Appeal's Ron Tillery smokes this one out pretty quickly, though.  He runs through all the arguments and trashes them.

He says this plea has nothing to do with saving money, and everything to do with getting softer competition.

He also sees the league?s 30th franchise coming to Charlotte soon.  When that happens, New Orleans will join Memphis and Minnesota in the east.  Charlotte will be the fifteenth team in the east.