Haddadi was handed over to a Memphis grand jury last month to decide whether he should stand trial on misdemeanor charges of assaulting his former girlfriend, Goolnaz “Asal” Karbalaeinematmoeeney.
If he goes free, he may sign a contract to play with a team in 
China, where he could anticipate much more playing time.
Haddadi, 26, and his then-girlfriend were arrested more than eight months ago after an altercation in their apartment. Both were slightly injured and both were initially charged by police. In a few days, the charges against the woman were dropped. Prosecutors said the injuries were consistent with her account and further supported by a witness who reported seeing Haddadi choking his girlfriend in the guest bathroom.
Oddly, nothing happened in the case after his initial November 2010 court appearance until last month when Haddadi was brought back to court.
Judge Chris Turner, who last year set Haddadi free on bond under orders to have no contact with the woman while the charges were still active, again faced Haddadi, sent the case to the grand jury and told Haddadi he was prohibited from “assaulting, annoying, contacting or telephoning her. That means here or in any other place in this country.”
There was a hint that Haddadi may have violated the judge’s orders of last November and tried to contact his former girlfriend. But no one explained why it has taken so long for the case to come back to court. Originally a court date had been set for last January, but that was quietly canceled without explanation.
The assault charge against Haddadi is a misdemeanor carrying a maximum fine of $2,500 and a maximum jail term of one day less than one year.
Haddadi had to stoop to enter the courtroom, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported. It said he was accompanied by his manager who referred all questions to Haddadi’s attorney, who declined to answer any questions.
Karbalaeinematmoeeney was not in court. After the incident last year, she had a cut near her right temple, another on her hand, a black eye and bruising around her neck. She told police Haddadi became enraged when he saw her talking to another man. He told police she fell out of bed when an amorous attempt went awry.
If Haddadi doesn’t go to jail, he is contemplating going to play elsewhere.
His agent, Marc Cornstein, told Sporting News, “We are in talks for him to play in China. There are some good opportunities there and, the more he plays, the more he will develop.”
According to NiuB-Ball.com, the Chinese team Foshan Dralions has made an offer of up to $200,000 a month with an opt-out clause that would allow him to return to the United States if he should wish.
The team is based in Guangdong province, opposite Hong Kong. It has an American coach, Jay Humphries.
Haddadi signed a contract with the Grizzlies in 2008. It was a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year. The Grizzlies indicated in June that they wanted Haddadi to stay for a fourth year, but he still has the option to look around.
In his three years with the Grizzlies, Haddadi has received only limited playing time and has expressed his frustration about that. Apart from that, he appears happy with the team, the league and his fellow players.
In his three years with the Grizzlies, Haddadi has never started a game. He has appeared in 86 games, but his average floor time in those games has come to a mere 6.1 minutes per game.
At 7-foor-2 (218 centimeters), Haddadi is the tallest player with the Grizzlies. He is the backup center.
