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The Memphis Grizzlies offered O.J. Mayo(notes) as part of a package for Paul recently, but talks went nowhere.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=a ... nets062110

Kind of shocking to actually hear the Grizzlies are being proactive.

I'm guessing they didn't offer to take on the albatross contracts of Okafor and Posey, so talks didn't go anywhere.

Paul would be an absolute godsend, and if we could keep Gay and Gasol in the process of getting him, we'd be set. Here's to hoping talks pick up again in the next few days.

If he didn't like playing for a cost cutting owner before I'd doubt he'd like playing in Memphis. And there is no way in hell I'd take on Okafor's contract, too much money and too many years for an average player that would handicap the franchise. Posey would be okay to take since he's only got 2 years left I believe.

Why does Memphis seem intent on getting rid of OJ?

MayoisMemphis wrote:If he didn't like playing for a cost cutting owner before I'd doubt he'd like playing in Memphis.

Heisley has spent, and vowed to spend again for a winner. See the playoff years. The Grizz were in the top 5 for salaries for that span. I have no reason to doubt that Heisley will eventually spend for a winner. Adding Chris Paul would go a LONG way towards that.

Anyways, I don't think we got the pieces to land him. Mayo is our best chip and they probably don't want him since they got Marcus Thornton who they love at the Sg position at a ridiculously cheap price and they got Darren Collison in the position Mayo wants to play. Rudy Gay S&T isn't an option since he'd be a major selling point for Paul to Memphis and the Hornets probably don't want to take back salary. The best deal the Grizzlies could offer is Z-Bo/Gasol/random bench players/#12 for Paul and one of Emeka or Posey

I would try something like Conley + Gay (or...ugh, it hurts...Mayo) + Z-Bo + #12 for Paul + Peja + Posey. If Marc is the price to pay for Chris Paul, then I don´t want him in Memphis.

Juice is going to remember all this when he's up for an extension/free agency.

this is very interesting. paul is the best pg in the league. oj may flat out be the best guard in the league in 5 seasons. I can see these talks start up again sooner rather than later

tekkon wrote:Why does Memphis seem intent on getting rid of OJ?

I believe it's because Rudy doesn't want to play with him and the coach doesn't believe in him.

I really don't want to trade Mayo and according to Heisley,


"Unequivocally, O.J. Mayo was not part of any discussions about a trade for Chris Paul," Heisley said Monday night. "That is not true. Where do these people get this stuff?"

Heisley acknowledged that he approached New Orleans about Paul's availability but insisted "Mayo was not part of the package that I talked to them about."

Memphis has 3 first rounders and a bunch of young players. Why is there no buzz? Other than this trade offer, there hasn't really been anything significant.

The cost of prying Paul from New Orleans would have to be taking on Okafor's contract as well. New Orleans want to save cost provided the ownership change falls thru. The talks were apparently on the ownership level initiated by Heisley. There is no way the Grizz can do a deal that includes Okafor without Randolph and his expiring going the other way. Hornets are not interested in Randolph when they have David West so per the report the talks went no where.

It is highely unlikely that a combination of draft picks and Thabeet, Conley will interest Hornets so we should probably look elsewhere.

This report is similiar to Robert Sarver - Suns owner attempting to trade Stoudamire but wanting Rudy, Conley, and Beale street.

tekkon wrote:Memphis has 3 first rounders and a bunch of young players. Why is there no buzz? Other than this trade offer, there hasn't really been anything significant.

According to the same article:

"There are indications that the Griz have put forth an exhaustive effort to try and move all three of their first-round picks in Thursday's NBA draft."

May not be creating a buzz, but they apparently are trying...

ESPN says the yahoo article is wrong. Big surprise.

mid-post wrote:ESPN says the yahoo article is wrong. Big surprise.

What exactly was said? Were they simply quoting the CA?

360 wrote:

mid-post wrote:ESPN says the yahoo article is wrong. Big surprise.

What exactly was said? Were they simply quoting the CA?

Don't remember exactly what it said, but saw it on the ticker.
I'm sort of dubious of anything that comes out of Yahoo! Sports to begin with, so I'm biased.