June 5, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Keyon Dooling (51) reacts after making a three-point basket during the second half in game five of the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat of the 2012 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Boston won 94-90. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Keyon Dooling will cut his retirement short this season and make a return with the Memphis Grizzlies. Dooling tweeted that he was on his way to officially sign with the Memphis Grizzlies earlier today. 

Dooling, 32, announced that he would be retiring just before the start of this NBA season. The Celtics were trying to push him out of retirement earlier this season when Rajon Rondo went down. The Memphis Grizzlies are desperate for depth at the guard spots and Dooling should bring just that.

He’s worked out with the Celtics on numerous occasions this season and should be in close enough shape to be prepared to play games soon.

Much love and lots of luck to Keyon Dooling from all of Celtics’ Nation.

June 1, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Keyon Dooling (51) reacts during the second quarter against the Miami Heat in game three of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2012 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

According to Jessica Camerato of CSNNE, Keyon Dooling is considering coming out of retirement if the Celtics want him.

“I’m definitely considering,” Dooling told CSNNE.com Tuesday evening. “I’ve upped my exercise starting today and if Doc (Rivers) gives me the word I will be ready.”

Dooling retired in September following an emotional summer in which he battled with repressed memories of abuse. Since then, he has re-joined the Celtics as a coordinator of player development and continues to help others through the GAMETYME Foundation.

Dooling was one of the vocal and emotional leaders in the locker room last season and I think he’d help this team cope with their situation. If Boston can’t find a replacement for Rajon Rondo via a trade, Dooling would be the best option they have outside of free agency. He was under Rivers’ tutelage last season, and since he’s still part of the organization he most likely knows the plays the offense runs.

While Keyon Dooling is up there in age, he’s had five months to rest and maybe give it one last run. If there is someone who is qualified to take Rondo’s place for half a season, it would be Dooling. He may not produce a lot of points, but where the Celtics stand as of right now, they just need a leader on the court who can run the offense, take the press off the younger guards, and lift the team emotionally. If Boston feels that they can continue on without making a trade, signing Dooling would be safe route to go.

June 5, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Keyon Dooling (51) reacts after making a three-point basket during the second half in game five of the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat of the 2012 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Boston won 94-90. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Keyon Dooling accepted a role as player development coordinator on November 7th, and it’s good to see Dooling involved in the organization again.  His retirement theoretically came far too soon, but Dooling cited mental issues with a past of sexual abuse, and said he needed time to deal with those issues.

His impact as a player was never huge statistically, but Dooling played hard and was a credit to the NBA.

The theory in Boston is that he can continue to implore players to work as hard as he did, while helping them adjust to the rigors of the NBA and deal with the demanding lifestyle NBA players have to endure.  Dooling has been through his fair share of struggles in life, and is the perfect man to take a role such as player development, because he’ll relate well to players as one that is roughly the same age as most of them.  It was bad to see Dooling retire so early, but some things take precedence over basketball, and it’s good to see him still staying involved in the organization.