What if OJ Mayo went to the D-League?

wiff · Post #1 » by **wiff** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:50 pm

So I'm curious about what would have happened if OJ Mayo would have gone to the D-League instead of USC? I know the NBA has a relatively new rule saying you need to be 19 years old, or you can't enter the NBA draft the same month you graduate from High school.

OJ Mayo was 19 when he graduated from high school. This past November he turned 20.

Say OJ Mayo simply didn't want to go to college for whatever the case may be. Maybe the guy just wants to focus hoops and not worry about the schools side of things.

Does the rule state that you need to play an entire year in the D-League before a team can offer you a contract?

Also remember Danny Ferry? He simply refused to play for the Clippers and went to Europe until they traded his rights to Cleveland.

What if OJ Mayo doesn't want to play for a crappy team?

Could he go to the D-League put up some huge numbers and pick and choose through the offers? I imagine with the guys undeniable talent that teams would be willing to take a flyer on the kid just like half the teams have done with High school kids in the past.

If he skipped USC and went to the D-League could he be looking at contract offers today, from Dallas, Phoenix, or where ever he would prefer to go play like Orlando?

BobbySura · Post #2 » by **BobbySura** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:20 pm

he'd be most likely giving up a TON of money by doing that. going to college will at least give him a guaranteed contract for a few years based on potential. so many xfactors would be involved with being in the dleague, and it's not like he'd get a max contract from any team. i doubt he'd even get the mle even if he tore up the dleague, he'd get the minimum non-guaranteed from most teams.

going to college gives him a guaranteed contract most likely worth tons more than he could have gotten going through the dleague.

JellosJigglin · Post #3 » by **JellosJigglin** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:28 pm

I just watched OJ play at the Galen Center last night. Definitely overhyped. He's no Lebron. He will be a good player, but he's going to struggle his first few years in the league. People compare him to Wade because of his size, but he doesn't have the explosiveness of a Wade.

I'm not basing this just on one game. I've watched him on TV quite a bit, but seeing it in person just confirmed it.

kellex · Post #4 » by **kellex** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:35 pm

derrick rose and eric gordon will be 10x the player oj ever thought of being in the nba.

wiff · Post #5 » by **wiff** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:27 pm

You guys are missing the point. It's not about the money he is possibly giving up or if he will be a lesser player than Gordon or Rose.

It's about a loop hole. Is this a possible scenerio?

Say if LeBron graduated when he was 19 could this happen.

10scott10 · Post #6 » by **10scott10** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:44 pm

50ppg

vi3t · Post #7 » by **vi3t** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:40 pm

BobbySura wrote:he'd be most likely giving up a TON of money by doing that. going to college will at least give him a guaranteed contract for a few years based on potential. so many xfactors would be involved with being in the dleague, and it's not like he'd get a max contract from any team. i doubt he'd even get the mle even if he tore up the dleague, he'd get the minimum non-guaranteed from most teams.

going to college gives him a guaranteed contract most likely worth tons more than he could have gotten going through the dleague.

No, correct me if I'm wrong, but he still be eligible for the nba draft, nobody can sign him, he has to go through the draft. The new rules states that for american players, you must be one yr removed from high school, so basically Mayo can play college ball, d-league, europe, or just take a yr off than he'll be able to declare for the draft

Post #8 » by **Slava** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:54 pm

10scott10 wrote:50ppg

+1.

Coby Karl was putting up 22/6/7 in the D-league a couple of weeks ago.

Post #9 » by **Flash3** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:40 pm

He's not going to pass up the guaranteed $ he can get for being a top 5/10 pick.

Storm Surge · Post #10 » by **Storm Surge** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:48 pm

in d-league competition would be tougher than college

A.J. · Post #11 » by **A.J.** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:51 pm

if o.j. mayo was in the dleague then they would draw more crowds

MagicFan3 · Post #12 » by **MagicFan3** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 10:54 pm

It would've been a terrible financial move for him. Plus, college could only help him. He's overrated as it is, and if he didn't play well in the D-league, it would just be embarrassing.

Pats19andO · Post #13 » by **Pats19andO** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:38 pm

The next Demaar Johnson
Or maybe Dennis Johnson

wiff · Post #14 » by **wiff** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:59 pm

I'm not asking if he would lose more money or if you think the guy is over rated I want to know if this is possible with the CBA?

What if Greg Oden, LeBron James, D Howard or any other NBA superstar was 19 when they graduated from High School could they go to the D league play a couple games then pick and choose what team they can go play for?

I could care less if the guy is a bust "IN" the NBA, I just want to know if he could use this loop hole to get to the NBA quicker.

BobbySura · Post #15 » by **BobbySura** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:04 am

i'm sure it's a loophole that has been well scouted by the nba and thus that is the reason no one has bothered to try it.

mattyj · Post #16 » by **mattyj** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:04 am

You still have to make your self eligible for at least 1 draft before you can sign as a free agent anywhere...He must put his name into one draft otherwise he cant sign a FA contract

_BBIB_ · Post #17 » by **_BBIB_** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:35 am

JellosJigglin wrote:I just watched OJ play at the Galen Center last night. Definitely overhyped. He's no Lebron. He will be a good player, but he's going to struggle his first few years in the league. People compare him to Wade because of his size, but he doesn't have the explosiveness of a Wade.

I'm not basing this just on one game. I've watched him on TV quite a bit, but seeing it in person just confirmed it.

Well he's no Lebron or Kobe because he's not as fluid of a ball handler as Kobe or a freak of nature athlete like Lebron.

But in his defense, that offense he is in is absolutely terrible for showcasing his talent.

All they do is walk the ball up the court and pass around the perimeter and run set plays.

He needs to be showcased in a far more uptempo offense or at least one that isn't so monotone