Memphis Grizzlies: O.J. Mayo Can Use a Change of Scenery

This season has not been a season to remember for shooting guard O.J. Mayo.

In Mayo's two previous seasons he was apart of a young group of NBA Players with promising futures. Players such as Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose and Eric Gordon have surpassed Mayo and have become All-Star-caliber players.

Mayo, on the other hand, has regressed in the eyes of many people.

I have watched O.J. Mayo play basketball for many years and I can sense that a change of scenery is needed. I knew this season was going to be rocky for Mayo stemming from the unsuccessful experiment in the NBA Summer League.

This summer, Mayo was asked to play point guard in the Las Vegas Summer League, and he didn't fare well with the experiment.

The move to point guard seems ideal, because Mayo is an undersized two-guard. Due to Mayo's inability to run the point guard in summer league eventually led Grizzlies front office offering a contract extension to point guard Mike Conley.

Earlier in the season before the Miami Heat game Mayo was late to a shoot around and that led to him coming off the bench. At that present time the move to the bench was temporary for discipline reasons.

After the victory against the Heat the move to the bench became permanent for Mayo. Coach Lionel Hollins stated that he moved Mayo to the bench, because the Grizzlies lacked a scoring presence in the second unit.

Mayo is averaging career lows in all major statistical categories.

Yes, his points are down, but the minutes played is what stands out the most. O.J. Mayo was not drafted third overall to come off the bench in relief of Tony Allen or Xavier Henry.

Change is often good in the world of sports.

If traded Mayo will not be the first young promising player to switch teams. Joe Johnson was traded from Boston to Phoenix during his rookie season. Also Michael Beasley has flourished in Minnesota after being ousted in Miami.

This shows that trades and change is not always a negative thing for the player.

In recent news Tony Allen and O.J. Mayo got into a scuffle on the team flight last night. Since entering the NBA, Mayo has been a mild mannered guy and has shown maturity on and off the court. The incident last night shows that the frustration level is high for the former star out of USC.

The trading deadline is in February and I would not be surprised if Mayo is moved. If Mayo is traded it will be good for him and the organization.