Are The Memphis Grizzlies Benching Mayo Because They Don't Want to Pay Him?

Thus far this season has been forgettable for shooting guard O.J. Mayo. Mayo started the season off as the starting shooting guard for the team.

After a few months into the season Mayo's role has changed drastically. Mayo is now the sixth man on the Memphis Grizzlies. This role has paid little dividends for Mayo and the Grizzlies. Mayo's replacement, Xavier Henry,  has put up mediocre numbers since replacing Mayo. Mayo's production has dropped as well. He is averaging a career low in points and minutes.

O.J. Mayo is only 23 years old. He has shown his ability to play at a high level in his two productive season. This season may not be as good as his other season, but everyone knows that Mayo is a very talented player.

 This drastic reduction in playing time may be because Mayo is due for a new contract soon (2 years), and the writings may be on the wall for the young guard out of USC. This past summer the Grizzlies gave Rudy Gay and maximum deal and Mike Conley recently signed a lucrative contract. With Z-Bo( Zach Randolph) Mayo both seeking deals in the near future, the Grizzlies may decline to sign him.

The Grizzlies have one of the cheapest owners in the NBA in Michael Heisley. I highly doubt that he will re-sign O.J. to a deal when his contract is up.

The best excuse for not paying a player determines the play on the court from that particular individual. Mayo was relegated to the bench rather than playing his normal role. If the Grizzlies are going to let Mayo go into free agency they should trade him so they can get a few pieces in return.

There are several teams that can use a two guard with the skill set of O.J. Mayo. Many basketball fans around the country were excited about the development of the Grizzlies last season. With Mayo, Gay, and Randolph the team possessed it's own version of the "Big Three."

As time evolves it seems as if Mayo might not be apart of that trio. Only time will tell. Mayo deserves better treatment than he is receiving. If the Grizzlies envisioned him to be a Sixth Man coming out of college they should have kept Kevin Love on draft day.