NBA Free Agents 2012: Latest Talk on OJ Mayo and More

The NBA free-agency period has been a frenzy thus far, but the craziness is beginning to subside and O.J. Mayo is one of the marquee players still available.

Deron Williams, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry are all off the board. Roy Hibbert will reportedly be brought back to the Indiana Pacers, and Eric Gordon likely won’t be leaving New Orleans. 

That leaves just a handful of impact players still available. 

Here are all the latest rumors on some of the biggest names left in free agency.

O.J. Mayo

The Memphis Grizzlies opted not to send a qualifying offer Mayo’s way, making him an unrestricted free agent. 

Mayo has had to wait for the market to take shape, but now that top shooting guards like Allen, Terry and Gordon have found permanent spots, he will be a coveted player. 

ESPN’s Marc Stein reported via Twitter that the Phoenix Suns, who appear to have failed to get Gordon, will make a play for Mayo.

"

If Hornets match PHX offer sheet to Eric Gordon, as they've vowed, desert sources say this is definite: OJ Mayo will be courted hard by Suns

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 11, 2012"

The other team reportedly pushing to sign Mayo is the Indiana Pacers, who, according to the Indianapolis Star’s Mike Wells, have “great, great interest” in the shooting guard.

Mayo is a potent scorer who has averaged 15.2 point across his career. Players who can shoot the ball like he can will always have a place on an NBA roster.

Ramon Sessions

Sessions is arguably the best point guard on the market after Williams, Nash, Kidd and Goran Dragic are all off the board.

The former Los Angeles Laker averaged 12.7 points and 6.2 assists during a partial season in L.A. this past year. 

His speed and athleticism caught the eye of the Dallas Mavericks, who have plenty of work to do in order to complete their roster. ESPN’s Jeff Caplan reports that Sessions wants a long-term deal, but also wishes to make more than the $4.55 million wage he was set to earn before opting out of his contract. 

He may have to budge on one of these demands, but Dallas is quickly running out of options and desperately needs to start adding quality players in the backcourt.

Aaron Brooks

If Sessions is not the best point guard available, then Brooks is.

Brooks spent last season playing in China, and the Phoenix Suns decided not to make a qualifying offer after signing Goran Dragic.

Now, the Houston Rockets are reportedly interested Brooks, according to Stein.

"

Word is Rockets coach Kevin McHale had an evening visit on this Sunday with a former Rocket traded before McHale got there: Aaron Brooks

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 9, 2012"

This would be an odd turn of events, considering that these moves would reverse a trade that sent Brooks to Phoenix and Dragic to Houston in 2011.

JaVale McGee

The athletic center is a restricted free agent, and in all likelihood he will be back with Denver Nuggets this season. 

Sam Amick of SI.com reported via Twitter that the Nuggets are negotiating with McGee and are interested in keeping him around. 

"

Source says Denver's talks w/ restricted free agent C JaVale McGee are progressing and all signs point to his Nuggets tenure continuing.

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 11, 2012"

The Nuggets should hurry up and finalize a deal as the Blazers are throwing offer sheets toward every decent restricted free agent center across the NBA. The Denver Post speculates that Portland will go after McGee next.

McGee is one of the best shot-blockers in the league, and the Nuggets would be wise not to let this situation stall.