Is an OJ Mayo trade realistic?

[Tommy Udo 6]

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Damn I never heard of that. I just figured our trade didn't work out becuase at that time they wanted value for Pau and when they traded him they wanted "savings" and we were just on the wrong end both times. I didn't know it got personal .

According to reports, GM Wallace & then-GM Paxson reached a deal. When it went to the owner for approval, the owner made a deal directly with LA

The Bulls felt that since they had an agreement, they should have been allowed to have another chance if the owner didnt like something.

The owner also publicly said that HE made the LA trade - because other teams were criticizing Wallace for giving Gasol away. He then laid into the Bulls for not including certain players in the deal. It was believed that he meant Gordon or Deng, then both on the last season of their rookie deal. That would mean the centerpiece of the Bulls trade must have been Nocioni - who the Grizz had been pursuing in the offseason

[boogydown]

According to reports, GM Wallace & then-GM Paxson reached a deal. When it went to the owner for approval, the owner made a deal directly with LA

The Bulls felt that since they had an agreement, they should have been allowed to have another chance if the owner didnt like something.

The owner also publicly said that HE made the LA trade - because other teams were criticizing Wallace for giving Gasol away. He then laid into the Bulls for not including certain players in the deal. It was believed that he meant Gordon or Deng, then both on the last season of their rookie deal. That would mean the centerpiece of the Bulls trade must have been Nocioni - who the Grizz had been pursuing in the offseason

I never followed up on what really happened here but assuming this is true, it doesn't surprise me. Memphis has a deal under the table for the Lakers it seems. Now that isn't to say Marc Gasol isn't going to be good, but they sure got lucky. That reminds me, how in the world did Marc Gasol drop that low in the draft?

[boogydown]

There are a lot of options for the Bulls outside of Mayo. Breaking down who seems to be good targets for Chicago

Anthony
Afflalo
Mayo
Thornton

Other targets who are good options as well

Crawford
Azubuike (we will see if he can rebound)

Any of those guys would work for me.

[Ralphb07]

I really don't know if I'd trade Gibson and Charlotte's first for Mayo. Gibson is really good and is so valuable to this team and I think Korver and Brewer are just fine. I'd rather trade just a pick for a Marcus Thornton or Rudy Fernandez and keep this core intact.

The Bulls problem isn't having a 30+ minute SG, it's having someone better than Bogans to put in this rotation.

[pipfan]

I don't think Mayo is a future all star, but he might be a perfect fit with out team. He is buddies with Rose and would probably love a big market, winning team. Our culture would force him to fit into his role. Plus, he might be able to play with Brewer when Rose is out and Watson is sucking.

Offer JJ (play him a little, pump his value), Scal or Bogans, our 2011 pick and the Char pick. Add $3 million if necessary. We have tons of young talent, let's go for it. We don't have any need for picks, we would have

Rose/Watson/Mayo
Mayo/Brewer/Korver
Deng/Korver/Brewer
Boozer/Taj/Noah/Deng
Noah/Asik/Taj

That team wins a title. Imagine how easy the game would get for Mayo, waiting for that open swing pass. He could average 12-14 pts a game much more efficiently, and create some too. Kobe might give us problems over 7 games, but I'm willing to take that risk.

Our 2011 pick has little value, the Char pick is a long way off. We should go for it while Rose is young and super fresh. He is a MVP candidate now, we make A TON of $-go for it.

[Ralphb07]

There are a lot of options for the Bulls outside of Mayo. Breaking down who seems to be good targets for Chicago

Anthony
Afflalo
Mayo
Thornton

Other targets who are good options as well

Crawford
Azubuike (we will see if he can rebound)

Any of those guys would work for me.

Buike is a nice option as well. I don't see how he gets any significant time in NY and is a FA next year so I can see NY trading him for our own 1st and IMO that's a risk worth taking for us since we'll be able to re sign him in the summer.

The Bulls goal should be to add a rotation guard while keeping this core together. When you look at this team with Rose, Noah, Deng and when Boozer comes it has the core to win, all we need is upgrade the rotation a tad and not take away from it

[Ralphb07]

Now if the Grizz would take Charlotte's 1st and JJ for him, I'd be all over it. I just don't see them doing that

[The Force.]

I think part of the reason for Mayo's recent play has been his utter hatred for the Grizzlies organization. You can just see it on his face during games. He plays alongside two known gunners in Gay and Randolph, and the team overall doesn't really play defense.

He put up nearly 20ppg as a rookie and his stats dipped slightly as a sophomore, but I feel like he's definitely capable of putting up 20ppg in the right system. He's not a true #1 or #2 scorer, but as a 3rd scorer, I feel like he'd flourish. I would especially like him on the court when Rose is on the bench. He would become the primary or secondary scoring option and is good enough to put up points in ISO on occasion. Also, I feel like he has the potential to be a very good defender in Thibs system.

[coldfish]

The Bulls don't need just bulk points. They need someone like Korver who gives you 15 points on 10 shots. They need a guy who picks his spots and makes teams pay for ignoring him. I'm not sure Mayo is that guy, in either skill or mental outlook.

[Deepness5134]

I think he absolutely has the skill..

In Memphis (w/ the few games I've seen them in) - their system looks like "give the ball to gay, if that doesn't work see if Marc can make something happen, if that doesn't work just give w/e is left to OJ". Last night when I watch Mayo in the 4th he was running around screens but it did look like he didn't care because nothing was setup for him. I thikn he's a decent fit in memphis actually, but he's not being used well and that falls on the organization and less the player

A rose drive and kick to mayo will leave mayo open all day. I have full confidence that with our team and coaching.

[Wingy]

Who cares.

He will be overpaid sooner than later.

He's more hype than production.

There's a reason why he's on the bench. He's a good player, but not good enough that his coach won't pass on him for an unproven rookie coming off of only 1 year of college.

Pass.

[ballerkingn2]

The Bulls don't need just bulk points. They need someone like Korver who gives you 15 points on 10 shots. They need a guy who picks his spots and makes teams pay for ignoring him. I'm not sure Mayo is that guy, in either skill or mental outlook.

Like JJ reddick, he was the perfect sg for us period.

[WookieOnRitalin]

The Bulls don't need just bulk points. They need someone like Korver who gives you 15 points on 10 shots. They need a guy who picks his spots and makes teams pay for ignoring him. I'm not sure Mayo is that guy, in either skill or mental outlook.

Omri Casspi might be able to be shaken loose from Sacramento who seems to be similar to that description. Any chance we can put him at the 2?

[SimonFish]

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.

Yeah.

And pretty much like Gordon, I'm not sure Mayo's defense would be good enough to start at SG.

[Chi town]

I watch every MEM game because of Mayo. I've been watching him since his rookie season and I have a pretty good feel for his game.

- From the moment he was traded to MEM on draft night I knew he would not play there for a 2nd contract and would probably be traded before the end of his 1st.

- Mayo is more hype than help. He's overrated and that started with him being a ridiculous AAU legend

- He is EXACTLY what the Bulls need at SG. There is not a player in the NBA that fits what the Bulls need better. I'd say possibly Wes Matthews but OJ is better.

- The Griz already severely overpaid Conley and Gay. They will pay Gasol and possibly Randolph. Mayo will NOT be resigned. Mayo wants out anyway.

- What would MEM want? Picks, cheap talent, and cash. I don't if they would want Taj considering Randolph has played so well for them and they may want to resign him. I could possibly see CJ, Bulls 2011 1st, and CHA pick. I would not trade Asik or Taj for Mayo. Those two post players will be huge for us in the playoffs.

- OJ doesn't need to be Ben Gordon. He just needs to handle the ball, shoot the wide open 3, and play D. Next to Rose he would be really good. I'd make him our full time backup PG too.

- I think OJ would take a reasonable contract to play with the Bulls and go for rings. I think he would thrive in this environment too with Thibs, Rose, and Noah. I think he would sign for 8M per, which IMO is reasonable. I view him as a Deng level talent as in near/sublevel/borderline all star talent.

I dont' think we win it all if we trade Taj for Mayo. We need him as a big boost for our bench. I also don't think we win it all with Thornton or Rudy at SG. It will take a Mayo level talent to compete with the Lakers.

I have NO IDEA what Heisley will ask for Mayo especially with his value plummeting. If Mayo DEMANDS a trade we may be in the game for him. As OJ like Melo will say he will only resign with a couple teams.

Once again, hats off to Boogs who always nails everything player talent evals/fits.

[Ralphb07]

The Bulls don't need just bulk points. They need someone like Korver who gives you 15 points on 10 shots. They need a guy who picks his spots and makes teams pay for ignoring him. I'm not sure Mayo is that guy, in either skill or mental outlook.

I agree, which is why I've been saying for a while that all we need to get is a solid rotation guy. They need to be able to to do what you say but be able to create for themselves. I really think Thornton could be that guy. He can either start or back up Brewer, he is a 15-25 minute player, can shoot but create for himself.

I'm even moving away from the Melo thing, I think Deng and Gibson may be better for this team than Melo. Look at the Lakers, it's Kobe and Gasol with a lot of just good players. I think Rose and Boozer is good enough stars that with Deng and Noah and the rest can really compete. All this team is missing to come out of the east is a 15+ minute rotation guard that can get his own on a good rate

[The Force.]

I disagree that the Bulls don't need bulk points. They need a competent scorer on the perimeter who can make plays in ISO situations. If Rose is being triple-teamed/trapped he needs to kick it out to a wing player who will take advantage of the broken defense. Deng is not that player. Korver, CJ, and Brewer are NOT that player. We need someone who can put points on the board if Rose is being swarmed or is just having an off night. Boozer will help a ton, but in the playoffs you need consistent play from both the paint and the wing. For us to win in the playoffs, we need another legit scorer on the wing NOT named Deng.

[Wont PerDont]

He would also reduce the role of CJ. He can handle some back up PG minutes with the 2nd unit - which would be a welcome role for him to take on.

[BULLHITTER]

mayo is as realistic inasmuch as he's young, well rounded and talented, can score, can defend some, has upside, and can be attained for a figure the bulls might be willing to pay.

just because a player doesn't flourish in a particular system doesn't mean he'll be the exact same player in a different one with different team mates, coaching and system.
all this BS about his PER at this point is really irrelevant due to the change in system that would most likely modify if not increase his role in chicago.

imo, a mayo acquisition could set the backcourt up nicely for the next 5 years minimum, and increase the productivity of the bench guys like brewer and korver who would be under less pressure to do things they're not as capable of (like shooting and defense)

[SimonFish]

Anyway I don't see the Grizz give up on him at this stage.

Bear in mind Xavier Henry is playing atrociously as well. Letting Mayo coming off the bench is more like strategical adjustment, just like what we did to Ben Gordon in his early days.