OJ Mayo would sign with BOS as free agent

[dtrader]

I'm one of the first guys to say when a guy is 'just paying lip service' with this stuff, because the phrase "I've never heard it" just doesn't ring true to me.

But its encouraging for him to blithely say there isn't a stigma now. Maybe there isn't.

Exactly.  He didnt say "that stigma is gone".  He said he'd "never heard" of it.  So it's more about a lack of knowledge or just saying the right things, than a new view of our city.  

Also, when asked if he could see himself playing in boston, he said "if there's an NBA team there, I'd be happy to play". So basically, anywhere is fine.  If theres a basketball team in anchorage alaska , he's fine with it.

Sounds like everyone else....just saying what theyre trained to say.

[Eddie20]

I really don't know how Memphis doesn't extend a qualifying offer to OJ next season and pretty much matches any offer, unless an absurd one comes along.

Because they don't think too highly of him, based on them nearly trading him for Josh McRoberts last year, and they have a lot of money already invested in Gasol, Gay, Randolph, etc.

[jdz101]

You cant deny the kid can score and score in the clutch. Wouldnt be the worst player to get.

[pearljammer10]

Another guy saying the right thing to the media... You forgot to mention that after he said, "Yeah Sure." He followed that up with "If there is an NBA team, I'd be happy to play there." So basically he said as long as he is on an NBA team he will consider everywhere.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I really don't know how Memphis doesn't extend a qualifying offer to OJ next season and pretty much matches any offer, unless an absurd one comes along.

Because they don't think too highly of him, based on them nearly trading him for Josh McRoberts last year, and they have a lot of money already invested in Gasol, Gay, Randolph, etc.

Exactly, they finally got a good thing going with a pretty good team which won't be playing the cap game any time soon, so why let go of a tradeable asset like OJ?

Would make little sense to me.

[Eddie20]

I really don't know how Memphis doesn't extend a qualifying offer to OJ next season and pretty much matches any offer, unless an absurd one comes along.

Because they don't think too highly of him, based on them nearly trading him for Josh McRoberts last year, and they have a lot of money already invested in Gasol, Gay, Randolph, etc.

Exactly, they finally got a good thing going with a pretty good team which won't be playing the cap game any time soon, so why let go of a tradeable asset like OJ?

Would make little sense to me.

The problem is that they have approximately 54M committed for just 4 players (Randolph, Gasol, Gay, Conley). Memphis is a small market team and I really doubt they'll be too eager to to get into serious luxury tax issues to pay Mayo, who is basically backing up Tony Allen.

[LooseCannon]

Who is the best comparison for the kind of player OJ Mayo would be like in terms of the mental aspects of the game?

[BudweiserCeltic]

I really don't know how Memphis doesn't extend a qualifying offer to OJ next season and pretty much matches any offer, unless an absurd one comes along.

Because they don't think too highly of him, based on them nearly trading him for Josh McRoberts last year, and they have a lot of money already invested in Gasol, Gay, Randolph, etc.

Exactly, they finally got a good thing going with a pretty good team which won't be playing the cap game any time soon, so why let go of a tradeable asset like OJ?

Would make little sense to me.

The problem is that they have approximately 54M committed for just 4 players (Randolph, Gasol, Gay, Conley). Memphis is a small market team and I really doubt they'll be too eager to to get into serious luxury tax issues to pay Mayo, who is basically backing up Tony Allen.

Oh I agree, I just think when you finally got a winning team after so much struggling, you need to be willing to invest in assets of value, particularly tradeable ones. You can always trade him for expiring and picks, or to a team below the cap as a salary dump + picks, etc.

The imporant part in this, is that giving money to someone like OJ doesn't handcuff you financially.

But it all depends on how high the offers for him go, and I don't know where Memphis should draw the line. But we'll see.

If you don't plan on keeping him, trade him now. I'm sure you can get a useful loaner and picks for him.