Is an OJ Mayo trade realistic?

[kyrv]

Whoa, look at this post by the biggest Mayo fan on RealGM, which was posted on the General Board:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2010-11-24-975641919_x.htm

"I'm not happy," Mayo said, "but at the same time, if this is what's best for the team, I'm all for it. If it betters our team situation, I've got to deal with it."

I haven't been this upset about the NBA, since I realized my favorite player Tracy McGrady would never return to his 25+ ppg self. For the first time in the 9 years I have been watching OJ Mayo showcase his ridiculous talent, this is the first time where I can honestly say I am disappointed in him.

He is not the next Kobe and that's hard for me to say because I was sure I found the next Kobe, someone going to be the Next Kobe, but I know for a fact it won't be OJ Mayo. Don't even see him getting on an all-star level even in prime doubt he would even be better than Eddie Jones.

To say, if this is what is best for the team then I got to deal with it, tells me all I need to know about a player and how good he will be I don't want to sound like Colin Cowherd, but it is true. I would expect something along the lines of give me the ball, and let me make a play if you want us to be better. That's show the killer mentality that every superstar in the making needs. Especially loosing your job to an inferior basketball talent in Xavier Henry who has proven nothing at the NBA level. Kobe would never stand for it, we all know Allen Iverson would never accept that. Both of them are true warriors mentally which is part of the reason they are so good and with comments like that I am ashamed of the title lilojmayo.
As of this of now I am no more an OJ Mayo fan. That's just weak.

We don't know what he is saying behind the scenes, and I'm not going to blast a player for NOT being a disruption. Come on now. And I'm hardly a Mayo apologist.

Nerdrage.

[CjayC]

He needs a change of scenery or more responsibility. I just don't think it helps his development any to play probably behind a Top 20 player in Gay and one of the biggest blackholes in NBA history. Naturally if he played for us, he'd be expected to do a lot more, and I believe he could really thrive in this environment.

I'd trade a couple of firsts for him. I thought this upcoming draft was supposed to be really top heavy anyways? No guarantee what we get from Charlotte will be an immediate upgrade or if we'll get another James Johnson. I think that pick is lottery protected anyways, meaning whatever we get will pretty much be in the mid range

[cot2]

Posters seem happy to trade every asset the Bulls would need, if a good player would become available. That does not seem like very smart planning.

[MGB8]

I was watching Mayo play recently and I have to ask, what makes Mayo special? He isn't that big and he isn't that quick. He doesn't shoot well coming off screens either. Seriously, what is his best case in the NBA?

Ben Gordon?

That's kind of what I was thinking. He is a little different than Ben in that he is a better ball handler. However, he isn't as good of a shot maker, but its in the same ball park. Would I take back Ben Gordon on Chicago ignoring contract? Yes. Would I do it with him on a huge deal, like what Mayo might get? No. Would I trade Taj and the charlotte pick for Ben Gordon? Awww heelllls naw.

Rodney Stuckey with 3 point Range. The question is how good is he off ball.

[panthermark]

Posters seem happy to trade every asset the Bulls would need, if a good player would become available. That does not seem like very smart planning.

I think the fear (at least my fear) is that we won't be able so sign a SG this summer. Afflalo and Thornton are restricted. Pietrius may or may not opt out, and Azubuike is a health risk.

I would prefer to not trade anything and simply sign a SG....but there is little guarantee that we can land one.

I wish there was a "better defending" SG on the block.........but Mayo and Thornton seem to be the most likely to be moved.

[MGB8]

Ask any Memphis fan. They'll flat out say no to any such trade. They don't need Gibson because they're happy with Randolph/Gasol frontline. They don't need a SF (esp. a bust James Johnson) with Gay being the 1st option. The only thing Memphis FO would consider is a bunch of fair value 1st picks for essentially a #3 pick in a good draft.

I suppose a 2012 1st, Charlotte 1st and 2014 1st would be nice trade bait, but that's an awful lot for a guy who doesn't look like a future all-star. That could be 3 Taj Gibsons. Or it could be 3 James Johnsons.

Mayo might not like playing with his draft class mate Rose anyway. The extension process would be funny- "Rose, we're prepared to offer you the max." Two days later, with a smiling Rose on the front-page of ESPN... "OJ, we have on the table an offer that we feel is very reasonable.." OJ opens Pax's envelope and the contract says $42M/5. Unless Reinsdorf is prepared to pay OJ good money, shooting a bunch of future assets is unrealistic.

Here, let's put you in their shoes. Remember when Ben Gordon was on his rookie scale contract, a #3 pick... inconsistent as hell, played behind DUHON AND HINRICH? Would you have traded him in his 3rd season to the Lakers for Smush Parker, a bought out Kwame Brown and 2 of LA's future 1st picks? The Pau Gasol trade was a massive salary dump more than anything. The Grizzlies would be beyond (Please Use More Appropriate Word) to salary dump Mayo for 2 mid/late 1st round picks. It would take even more, and either Bulls don't have those assets, or they'd just flat overpay for a questionable talent.

The money issue is a really good point. As we've seen, young players who were highly drafted tend to have unrealistic expectations regarding contracts. Marcus Thornton might be a better fit due to his game being more about moving off ball (he's not near the ball handler that Mayo is). Or maybe you do want to look on a guy who is coming on to his 2nd contract, not first.

[panthermark]

^Yes...the money issue (and his defense) is a BIG concern.

[panthermark]

I think your cap space number is correct, I have $1.47M. The sites I check so not agree with my recollection, but I thought that Scalabrine's salry was guaranteed, if he made the opening day roster, but could not find a link to confirm either way.

From a salary standpoint, we can move Scal and Johnson.
But I did some digging, and I found one source that said that the contract became guaranteed if he made the roster.

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/20 ... teed-deal/

That sucks....

But still, since the Griz would take in less money then they send out...they could still waive Scal and they are still under the luxury tax limit.

[Chi town]

The Griz need a backup PG badly and CJ would fit them well. I'd send CJ, Cats pick, and our 2011 !st.

That is solid value for Mayo whose stock is going down. I see him demanding a trade if he continues to come off the bench.

Best fits IMO
1. Mayo
2. Afflalo
3. Thornton

Best value is Thornton because he will probably cost the least amount in assets and contract and he can really shoot. I also don't know if he is enough to get us over the top whereas I think Mayo's ball handling and shooting and Afflalo's D and shooting do put us over the top into title contention upon Boozer's return.

[DRose4MVP]

Mayo lost his starter spot because he is sucking it up this season. I dont want him, and there is no way would I ever trade Taj for this guy.

[The ROY]

You're gonna have to atleast give up Taj to get him. Darrell Arthur & Gibson would be a pretty nice PF rotation for them and cheap too.

G Rose
G Mayo / Brewer
F Deng / Korver
F Boozer
C Noah / Asik

I'd be pretty excited about that team going forward. Deng & Noah can always play some back-up 4 and maybe Mayo could run the point for about 10mpg as our other playmaker.

Anything less than a Mayo caliber SG ain't gonna get it done if we're trying to play in the finals.

[tclg]

you have to buy low sometime get a diamond in the rough. I think oj would be a great fit. He may not be elite but if he becomes close to top ten then we are a super dangerous team

[Chi town]

I think mayo is the best possible fit. I just don't see MEM trading him to us.

[kyrv]

I think mayo is the best possible fit. I just don't see MEM trading him to us.

Wouldn't someone who is at least average defensively be a better fit?

[cot2]

I think your cap space number is correct, I have $1.47M. The sites I check so not agree with my recollection, but I thought that Scalabrine's salry was guaranteed, if he made the opening day roster, but could not find a link to confirm either way.

From a salary standpoint, we can move Scal and Johnson.
But I did some digging, and I found one source that said that the contract became guaranteed if he made the roster.

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/20 ... teed-deal/

That sucks....

But still, since the Griz would take in less money then they send out...they could still waive Scal and they are still under the luxury tax limit.

Yes, I doubt Scalabrine being guaranteed would have a detramental effect, since you could send enough cash to more than make up for his salary, and they have a good cushion under the tax. What I can not understand is all the assets, multiple 1sts, including the cats pick, and some even Gibson, for a player being pushed down in the rotation, on a bad team, by other marginal players.

[Clint Eastwood]

I think mayo is the best possible fit. I just don't see MEM trading him to us.

Wouldn't someone who is at least average defensively be a better fit?

if i recall, in college as a freshman, he was a pretty excellent defender playing for a coach who expected it in tim floyd. i suspect in an environment like ours, he will eventually be considered a plus defender. defense is 95% effort. and he has defensive talent to boot. i support a trade for him, even if it includes taj. so long as we are going to resign him.

[CjayC]

I think mayo is the best possible fit. I just don't see MEM trading him to us.

Wouldn't someone who is at least average defensively be a better fit?

OJ makes an effort defensively. Just a lot like Derrick he never had anyone to actually teach him how to play it. And comparatively I think he's slightly better than Derrick at this point on the defensive end.

[kyrv]

Thanks for the responses, I agree he would likely be better defensively with the Bulls.

[panthermark]

Yes, I doubt Scalabrine being guaranteed would have a detramental effect, since you could send enough cash to more than make up for his salary, and they have a good cushion under the tax. What I can not understand is all the assets, multiple 1sts, including the cats pick, and some even Gibson, for a player being pushed down in the rotation, on a bad team, by other marginal players.

Honestly, Gibson should not even be mentioned. For me, he is nearly untouchable unless we are getting a legit All-Star level player back on a cheap contract. Basically, if we are not getting Eric Gordon, Taj isn't getting moved. (And we are not getting Eric Gordon).

As for the picks....
We are going to have to give up something to get something (especially since Taj isn't be offered up). Johnson, $3M Cash, Cat's pick and our 2011 2nd rounder would be awesome. But I think other team could out bid us.

I'm trying to look at it like this... If Tyrus Thomas were still here (and I know you feel about Tyrus..neither one of us could stand him) would he be "worth" Mayo? I would make that trade, and throw in our late first if need be to get it done. I would hate to lose James Johnson...but...in all reality, he is our 11th man and will probably stay that way as long as Deng, Brewer, and Korver are on the roster.

I'm also looking at the improvement Thibs has made in Rose on the defensive end. The benefit of Mayo is that he is still young, and he has the exact amount of college and NBA experience Rose does. Hopefully, it is "not too late" to get him on the right track.

[Jahensle]

Gibson and the Charlotte pick is too much to give up.

At this point, Gibson's league wide value is probably on par with May's (maybe slightly under). Gibson and two 2nd round picks IMO, if that is possible. Ideally, Johnson + Charlotte pick.

Rose Watson
Mayo Brewer Bogans
Deng Korver
Boozer Gibson Scal
Noah Asik Thomas

I like that team. Pick up a vet PG later on in the season in case of injury.