NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Reasons the Chicago Bulls Need To Pull Trigger on OJ Mayo

By (Contributor) on February 7, 2011

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PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 05:  O.J. Mayo #32 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw shot during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on November 5, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, b
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

As we approach the All-Star break, the Chicago Bulls are currently an impressive 34-15, which is third best record in the Eastern Conference.

Despite the absence of Joakim Noah, the Bulls have shown they are one of the several elite teams of today with their exceptional play.  

However, even when Noah returns from his injury, the Bulls are still missing a final ingredient to put them over the top.

In order for the Bulls to contend for the NBA Championship, they have to make trade for a shooting guard or someone that can score for the Bulls besides Boozer, Deng, and Rose. 

At the same time, the Bulls can not afford to trade away a lot of talent especially with an underwhelming bench.

A player who can fit this profile is OJ Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Here are the top five reasons why the Chicago Bulls should trade for OJ Mayo right now.  

05. He Will Come Dirt Cheap

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 02:  Head coach Lionel Hollins of the Memphis Grizzlies talks to O.J. Mayo #32 in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 2, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Grizzlies 124-10
Jeff Gross/Getty Images

OJ Mayo is having a terrible season.

He is averaging just 12.2 PPG on 40.8 percent shooting.

He has been moved to the bench, but he has struggled in his new role as he has not contributed as a reserve.

He previously fought with his own teammate Tony Allen apparently from a argument from a card game and he is currently serving a ten game suspension for violating the terms of the league's anti-drug program.

It is apparent Mayo has become a clubhouse distraction and it would be in the best interest for the Grizzlies to give him a second chance elsewhere.

The Bulls would not have to give up too much to obtain Mayo as they could probably trade CJ Watson or even Keith Bogan's to acquire Mayo. 

04. Improvement at Shooting Guard

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 02:  O.J. Mayo #32 of the Memphis Grizzlies attempts a lay up against the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at Staples Center on November 2, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Grizzlies 124-105. NOTE TO US
Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Let's face it, the Bulls are struggling at shooting guard.

This has been the Bulls glaring hole in their roster.  

The Bulls are currently featuring Keith Bogans as their starting shooting guard.

Keith Bogans?  Are we serious?

But, don't worry, once Bogans comes out, CJ Watson comes in.

We are all saved!

Let's not be delusional.  Even if Mayo is having a down season, he is a vast improvement over Bogans or Watson.

Mayo would solidify the Bulls one weak spot they desperately need to fill.   

03. He Is Young

PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 05:  O.J. Mayo #32 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives the ball past Jason Richardson #23 of the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on November 5, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Grizzlies 123-118 in doubl
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

What many people seem to forget about OJ Mayo, the former 3rd overall pick in the 2008 draft, is he is just 23.

He still has fresh legs and he can improve every aspect of his game every day, especially if he is playing alongside Derrick Rose.  In the next two to three years, Mayo will be an improved player.

The Bulls showcase a very young team today and if they were to trade for Mayo, they would have a young great team for several years.

OJ Mayo was an explosive player last season and he is capable to doing the same thing this year.  

02. He Can Lead The Second Group

PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 05:  O.J. Mayo #32 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on November 5, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo
Christian Petersen/Getty Images

What has plagued the Chicago Bulls this season is once Boozer, Deng, and Rose exit the game, their reserves struggle.

They do not have anybody on their bench who can control the tempo of the game and they do not have a reserve who can be a vocal leader on the court.

OJ Mayo is the type of player who can fit that void.  

He is the type of player who can orchestrate play-calling and he can make sure the reserves execute every play.

Granted, Mayo will be a starter if the Bulls do acquire him, but he would most likely be left on the court when the starters exit to help the reserves transition smoothly into the game. 

01.He Is The Final Piece To a Championship Season

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17:  The Los Angeles Lakers hold up the Larry O'Brien Trophy after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.  NOTE TO USER: User expres
Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

The Chicago Bulls are not a perfect team, but they can put themselves above every other team if they were to successfully complete this trade.

We have all witnessed numerous of times during games where the Bulls have struggled because they do not have a dependable scorer besides Rose.

As recent as the game against the Golden State Warriors, we have all seen what has happened when their bench does not perform to their capabilities.  

The Bulls can not count on the erratic play of Kyle Korver or Ronnie Brewer, who have been huge disappointments this year.

The Bulls have a chance to finally fix a weak spot that would be exposed in the playoffs if they do not make this trade.

If the Bulls do not execute this trade , the Bulls will struggle during the playoffs if they constantly have to depend on Rose or Boozer to score for them.

Mayo would be the final piece to the Bulls puzzle and he would be a great addition to an already dangerous offense.  

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