NBA Trade Rumors: Top Destinations for O.J. Mayo

Sixth man candidate O.J. Mayo's name has been involved in NBA trade rumors since early last season. The Memphis Grizzlies came close to a deadline deal in 2011, only to see the Indiana Pacers pull Josh McRoberts and the potential deal off the table. 

Mayo's numbers aren't spectacular, but he's shooting 46 and 43 percent from the field and the three-point line, respectively. Both are career highs, and there are teams that would pay the hefty price Memphis is asking for the fourth-year pro.

Here are six likely landing spots for Mayo, who would be sure to add an instant scoring punch and late-game potential that could benefit those in the market for a guard.  

New Jersey Nets

New Jersey has been aggressive in talks for Mayo, partially due to their big picture pursuit of trading for Dwight Howard, keeping Deron Williams happy and re-signing both to play in Brooklyn.

Reports have the Nets offering both Anthony Morrow and Jordan Farmar in separate offers for Mayo. Both deals make sense for the Grizzlies, who lack a consistent pure shooter and a backup point guard.

If they decide New Jersey is a solid trade partner, it will be interesting to see which need they address most, shooting or the backup guard.

Conversely, New Jersey would have a pure shooting guard to pair with Williams and continue to dangle Brook Lopez and future firsts for Howard.  

Chicago Bulls

At 16-3, the Chicago Bulls sit atop the Eastern Conference and are experiencing a renaissance season as Rip Hamilton and Carlos Boozer turn back the clock to their more productive days.

Would the Bulls send a first-round pick and one of their core players (Kyle Korver, Omer Asik, Taj Gibson) to the Grizzlies at a chance to pair Mayo and Derrick Rose?

My initial answer is no, but at second look, considering the struggles of Boozer last post-season and Hamilton's age, the Bulls could consider trading for Mayo. If nothing else, he guards Dwayne Wade in crunch time, and seeing as beating the Miami Heat is the top priority for the Bulls this season, they want to surround Rose with as much talent as possible to accomplish that. 

Indiana Pacers

The original suitor for Mayo's services last season could crop up as a trade partner again very soon. They are on the verge of being considered contenders in the Eastern Conference, and a solid stretch in the next two-to-three weeks would put them in a position to be a Top Four seed.

Since the Grizzlies have already filled their need for frontcourt help by trading for Marreese Speights early on, what would the Grizzlies ask for in exchange for Mayo?

The Pacers could send young guard George Hill for either Josh Davis or Dante Cunningham and cash.

While this deal seems unlikely, Larry Bird did like Mayo last year and probably is still high on the guard. So if he decides the Pacers need to make a splash to compete in the East, Mayo could land here.    

Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio and O.J. Mayo? Minnesota would have the makings of a playoff team. Memphis would dump Mayo once and for all. Everyone wins.

Except this would be a monster deal. I can't see Minnesota doing this trade without unloading Michael Beasley and Anthony Randolph, and since Memphis would balk at adding Beasley, a third team would have to get involved. 

An ideal framework framework would include sending Mayo to Minnesota, and they would in turn send Luke Ridnour, Anthony Randolph and a future pick to the Grizzlies.

This would give Rick Adelman a true shooting guard to pair with young Rubio, and also give the Grizzlies a solid backup point guard to take some stress and minutes off Mike Conley. 

Orlando Magic

Dwight Howard hasn't had a scorer the magnitude of Mayo since he arrived in 2004. Jason Richardson would have fit that bill if he had been a member of the team in 2000.

Adding Mayo to the Orlando Magic would legitimize their title chances and give D12 another reason to not skip town. 

If the Magic sent Quentin Richardson, Chris Duhon and a future first for Mayo and Josh Selby, both teams get help in areas of need. Howard would finally have someone other than Jameer Nelson to drive the paint and get him the ball. 

Richardson could fill the Shane Battier type role that the Grizzlies need—a three-point shooter who can be physical on defense—while Duhon would step into the backup PG role. 

Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers fans have to be getting frustrated that a 33-year-old with 14 seasons of NBA mileage is having to do it all for their team to win.

Kobe Bryant needs help. Metta World Peace and Matt Barnes just aren't cutting it.

Adding Mayo alleviates some of that scoring necessity from Bryant and even allows the Lakers to have a finishing lineup that includes those two and big men Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.

The Lakers could send young talent Devin Ebanks and Derrick Character for Mayo and absorb most of his contract into their trade exception from the Lamar Odom deal.

Of the teams mentioned, the Lakers need this guard scoring the most, so don't be surprised if GM Mitch Kupchak stays aggressive right up until Mayo is dealt this season.