NBA Trade Rumors: Nets Should Pull the Trigger on O.J. Mayo Deal

The New Jersey Nets need to make sure that the dangling O.J. Mayo becomes a part of their team. Rumors suggest that the Grizzlies are open to shopping Mayo, and that the Nets have been in contact with them to try land the swingman. 

New Jersey must make sure that they have a package in place to pull Mayo away, and they must be rabidly aggressive as they prepare themselves for the most important offseason in their franchises history.

The Rumors

Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal shares with us what he knows:

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The Nets have offered fourth-year guard Anthony Morrow for Mayo.

Morrow, a 6-5 shooting guard, will earn $4 million this year and is guaranteed for $4 million next season. Mayo is making $5.6 this season—the final year of his rookie contract. He has a $7.4 million qualifying offer for the 2012-13 campaign.

The Nets have also offered point guard Jordan Farmar, a draft pick and cash in a separate package for Mayo.

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Why the Nets Must Make This Deal Happen

This fan focused on the instant impact of the move:

However, the trade would not be about what Mayo brings to the court, but what he does for their books. His contract expires at the end of the season. 

By trading Morrow, the Nets would clear $4 million in salary for next season. And that of course would make it easier for them to pursue Dwight Howard if he hits the free agent market. 

The other thing it would do is send a message to Deron Williams that the franchise is committed to doing everything possible to better the club, and they should be. 

If they can't work some kind of deal to land Howard in a trade or be major players in the free agent market, chances are they are going to lose Williams too. This would leave the Nets high and dry.