New Jersey Nets: Why Acquiring O.J. Mayo Would Be an Excellent Move

With talks of a possible acquisition of Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard having died down, the New Jersey Nets have remained status quo. Trading for Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard O.J. Mayo, however, would re-energize the team.

According to Fred Kerber of the New York Post, talks between the Nets and Grizzlies have intensified, and there are believed to be offers of either Anthony Morrow for Mayo straight up or Jordan Farmar and a draft pick for Mayo.

Mayo hasn't exactly been a dominant force for the Grizzlies this season as he is averaging 10.6 points per game, but his potential far exceeds that. Over his first two seasons in the league Mayo averaged 18 points per contest, while shooting a respectable percentage from three-point land.

For whatever reason Mayo landed in the dog house of Head Coach Lionel Hollins last season, and he has been unable to find his way out. Mayo has been the subject of trade talks since last season and would have been traded to the Indiana Pacers at the deadline, but the teams were late in filing the paperwork.

Somehow Mayo remains with the Grizzlies, but his tenure could be coming to an end. It's clear that he is no longer trusted enough to be put in a position to excel. So a change of scenery is sorely needed. At the same time, the Nets need a player that can spark a 4-11 squad that seems to be going nowhere fast.

Star point guard Deron Williams has essentially had to do everything himself to this point. While much of that has to do with the injury to center Brook Lopez, he needs a threat that can play alongside him. If Mayo has his head on straight, he has the potential to average upwards on 20 points per game while playing with Williams.

On top of trying to make an improvement this season, the Nets have to prove to Williams that they are committed to winning. New Jersey attempted to do that by trading for Howard, but that deal is looking less and less likely with each passing day.

If Williams so chooses, he can walk via free agency next season—leaving the Nets high and dry after they acquired him from the Utah Jazz last season. That would truly put New Jersey back at square one since Williams was the type of player who could legitimize the team.

Mayo, at his current pace of production, may not seem like a great trade target, but he is exactly the type of player the Nets should be looking at. He clearly needs to go elsewhere in order to live up to his promise, and due to the Grizzlies' obvious dismay with him, his price tag isn't insanely high.

I don't think acquiring Mayo will lead the Nets to the playoffs this season or guarantee that Williams will stay, but it would be a step in the right direction. New Jersey simply can't afford to stand pat any longer.