Grizzlies wont extend Mayo

[WeMadeIt17]

Wasn't he quoted saying he would like to play with Rondo because he gets the ball where a shooter wants/needs it?

[Chris]

Didn't Mayo say in March he had no interest in playing here?

According to Donny Marshall, but no one with a sliver of credibility has backed that claim.

And he didn't even say he wasn't interested in playing here, he supposedly said that the history of the franchise was not an important factor for him.  Or something to that effect.

[celtsfan84]

Can Celtics afford him? Is he really an upgrade over Ray Allen?

That's the million dollar question to me.  Once/if the Celtics bring back KG, Bass, Jeff Green perhaps, etc..., how much cap space will we then have?  How much will he want?  Will he want to play here?

If we can get him, I'd say do it.  I've always been a fan.  Multiple tools.  Gret ball handler, good floor vision, can drive and penetrate, good scorer, solid shooter, can fit into our defensive scheme.  I think 2013 OJ Mayo is a considerable upgrade over 2013 Ray Allen.

[Mr October]

danny has wanted mayo since that draft...serious man crush

That might affect Mayo's decision. Its good to be WANTED, and to be wanted by a really solid organization.

[theswitch]

Can Celtics afford him? Is he really an upgrade over Ray Allen?

That's the million dollar question to me.  Once/if the Celtics bring back KG, Bass, Jeff Green perhaps, etc..., how much cap space will we then have?  How much will he want?  Will he want to play here?

If we can get him, I'd say do it.  I've always been a fan.  Multiple tools.  Gret ball handler, good floor vision, can drive and penetrate, good scorer, solid shooter, can fit into our defensive scheme.  I think 2013 OJ Mayo is a considerable upgrade over 2013 Ray Allen.

I think it comes down to a choice between Mayo and Bass. Both will command around the same amount of money, probably. Looking at the current make-up of our roster, even if Ray comes back, Mayo is the pick for me.

[fairweatherfan06]

I'd like him and Ray but even sans Ray he'd want a bigger role than he'd get in Boston.

Lakers want him too and he could have a bigger role there.  Sessions is testing free agency and Mayo did college in LA.  He might start at pg playing beside Kobe....also not sure we could afford what he may ask and resign our own free agents....

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Can Celtics afford him? Is he really an upgrade over Ray Allen?

The can they afford thing is the question.

Is he an upgrade over Ray? Well shooting wise no, but defense and extra scorer off the bench in case a play breaks down, not to mention another guard who can run the break with Rondo, I'd say yes.

[FrDrake]

The Cs are under the cap...thus no MLE is available to them.

I am perplexed by the desire by so many posters to bring back Ray.  He was a great player for them but the guy is 36 years old and absolutely showed his age this year.  Not to mention the fact that he HATED coming off the bench behind Bradley.  Thanks for the good times Ray, but DA is moving on.

I think Mayo could start over Bradley...AB could be great as a third guard and scorer off the bench.  Mayo could probably do it too but now that hes unrestricted he will want to start.

[theswitch]

Can Celtics afford him? Is he really an upgrade over Ray Allen?

The can they afford thing is the question.

Is he an upgrade over Ray? Well shooting wise no, but defense and extra scorer off the bench in case a play breaks down, not to mention another guard who can run the break with Rondo, I'd say yes.

I also like Mayo as a guy who can at least bring the ball up the floor and spell Rondo for a few minutes a game. It's not the pure point backup we've been coveting, but he does have this ability and is better at it than Bradley. It would also give them the opportunity to run those two together and cross-match on defense.

[RJ87]

The Cs are under the cap...thus no MLE is available to them.

I am perplexed by the desire by so many posters to bring back Ray.  He was a great player for them but the guy is 36 years old and absolutely showed his age this year.  Not to mention the fact that he HATED coming off the bench behind Bradley.  Thanks for the good times Ray, but DA is moving on.

I think Mayo could start over Bradley...AB could be great as a third guard and scorer off the bench.  Mayo could probably do it too but now that hes unrestricted he will want to start.

Agreed. Yes, I love Ray too but at this point in his career, he's one dimensional. Its time to look toward the future. Getting a guard like Mayo adds a new dimension to our offense (which in all honesty needs a reboot). And I would actually start Mayo over Bradley - with Bradley getting backup mins at the 1 and 2. A Rondo/Mayo/Bradley backcourt rotation is pretty good and we'd be set there for the next few yrs.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Can Celtics afford him? Is he really an upgrade over Ray Allen?

The can they afford thing is the question.

Is he an upgrade over Ray? Well shooting wise no, but defense and extra scorer off the bench in case a play breaks down, not to mention another guard who can run the break with Rondo, I'd say yes.

I also like Mayo as a guy who can at least bring the ball up the floor and spell Rondo for a few minutes a game. It's not the pure point backup we've been coveting, but he does have this ability and is better at it than Bradley. It would also give them the opportunity to run those two together and cross-match on defense.

Completely agree. We get him, that's a very defensive oriented back court rotation. Will not miss a beat on defense with Rondo, AB and Mayo taking the minutes at 1 and 2.

There is once again, the question of if we can afford him. Im sure some teams would try to overpay him.

[Lucky17]

The Cs are under the cap...thus no MLE is available to them.

I am perplexed by the desire by so many posters to bring back Ray.  He was a great player for them but the guy is 36 years old and absolutely showed his age this year.  Not to mention the fact that he HATED coming off the bench behind Bradley.  Thanks for the good times Ray, but DA is moving on.

I think Mayo could start over Bradley...AB could be great as a third guard and scorer off the bench.  Mayo could probably do it too but now that hes unrestricted he will want to start.

Until the Celtics renounce all of their cap holds, they are not under the cap.

And considering Ainge is on record as preferring to bring back players via Bird Rights over signing FAs, I wonder whether Mayo is really a target.

[Mr October]

The Cs are under the cap...thus no MLE is available to them.

I am perplexed by the desire by so many posters to bring back Ray.  He was a great player for them but the guy is 36 years old and absolutely showed his age this year.  Not to mention the fact that he HATED coming off the bench behind Bradley.  Thanks for the good times Ray, but DA is moving on.

I think Mayo could start over Bradley...AB could be great as a third guard and scorer off the bench.  Mayo could probably do it too but now that hes unrestricted he will want to start.

Until the C's renounce their bird rights to current players, they are still over the cap, and MLE eligible.

I agree that Mayo would be a starter upgrade over Ray and Avery - barely. And since Ray is declining, I'd be happy to roll with the younger option with potential to grow.

[WeMadeIt17]

Maybe Dannys plan is to grab him contend right now with him and perhaps a sign and trade for Smith. Then next off-season try everything to get Dwight to come here. I have to say would be a pretty sweet team if it looked lik this.

Rondo/Bradley
Mayo/Bradley
Green
Smtih/Sullinger
Dwight

Thats a really nice team for the future.

[Fafnir]

Can Celtics afford him? Is he really an upgrade over Ray Allen?

The can they afford thing is the question.

Is he an upgrade over Ray? Well shooting wise no, but defense and extra scorer off the bench in case a play breaks down, not to mention another guard who can run the break with Rondo, I'd say yes.

I also like Mayo as a guy who can at least bring the ball up the floor and spell Rondo for a few minutes a game. It's not the pure point backup we've been coveting, but he does have this ability and is better at it than Bradley. It would also give them the opportunity to run those two together and cross-match on defense.

Completely agree. We get him, that's a very defensive oriented back court rotation. Will not miss a beat on defense with Rondo, AB and Mayo taking the minutes at 1 and 2.

There is once again, the question of if we can afford him. Im sure some teams would try to overpay him.

Mayo isn't a good defender when matched up with SGs.

He's had some success defending point guards.