OJ Mayo, Hasheem Thabeet To Raptors For Jose Calderon + Picks
OJ Mayo and Hasheem Thabeet for Jose Calderon and Draft Picks: The Changing of the Guard
The Toronto Raptors are in dire need of consistent wing production. DeMarr DeRozan has been hot of late but he should not be the starting SG until he can improve his shooting and develop some consistency.
However, with this trade, he can come off the bench behind Mayo and learn by watching him play (which is an improvement over watching Sonny Weems or Leandro Barbosa) or Toronto could make him the starting SF for the rest of the season.
I would recommend the latter, since this gives him time to show us what he’s got by putting his great slashing skills on display and ultimately it gives him more playing time which will help him develop. In addition, if he can improve his defense than this could even be a great long term solution.
The bottom line is, this is a great short-term solution (i.e: for the remainder of the season) since we have nothing to lose.
Besides, having some real competition ahead of him on the depth-chart might even give DeRozan that motivation he needs to elevate his game to the next level.
Calderon + Draft Picks for Mayo and Thabeet
1 of 5
OJ Mayo is a great talent that is being wasted in Memphis.
It is clear that he will not be in Memphis following the trade deadline and I say the sooner he gets out of there the better.
His motivation and morale are shrinking by the day and after the recent fight with teammate Tony Allen, it is obvious that it’s time for him to leave.
OJ Mayo has some serious skills.
He was drafted third overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008 (before he was traded to the Grizzlies) and while in High School he had received much media consideration as the top high school basketball player in the United States.
He averaged 18.5 and 17.5 PPG in his first two seasons (respectively) while playing 38 MPG. It is clear that OJ Mayo can be a consistent scorer at the 2 spot.
If he is given the chance to play he will produce and has the potential to be the star of the Toronto Raptors alongside Andrea Bargnani.
Furthermore, he even has the handles to fill in at the 1 spot if need be.
Hasheem Thabeet
Is a player with a lot of potential that has no really lived up to his high draft selection. Although, he is still a great rebounder and defender with a high ceilling that would be an excellent backup for Andrea Bargnani.
What does Memphis get?
2 of 5
There are several teams interested in Mayo’s services, most notably the Chicago bulls, which are going to be working hard to get Mayo’s services since they are a SG away from being considered a title contender.
This means it could be tough for Toronto to compete with Chicago's offers however, I think they have what it takes.
Calderon
3 of 5
Jose Calderon gives the young Grizzlies a solid veteran PG who can help mentor the young Mike Conley, the future PG on a core of young Grizzlies that will be able to compete for years to come.
Furthermore, Calderon is a pure passer and a great three-point shooter who is extremely loyal and will give them solid minutes off the bench.
Toronto could also through in Sonny Weems, which would greatly improve Memphis' depth and bench production
Draft Picks
4 of 5
Toronto has two first round draft picks, their own pick (likely to be a top 10 pick) and Miami’s first round pick (Lottery protected) that they received in the Bosh sign and trade.
The ideal situation here would be for Memphis to settle for Toronto’s pick sent over from Miami. This way Toronto can still use their higher pick to draft another top prospect.
However, the worst-case scenario, which I would say is not really that bad at all, is that Memphis asks for Toronto’s top 10 pick (estimated to be about the 9th or 10th pick).
I think this is still worth it since with a resume like the one Mayo has the Raptors will be getting the equivalent of a top 5 pick in any draft, which would ease the pain of loosing their high draft pick.
Furthermore, the Raptors can still use the expiring contracts of Stojakovich, Evans, and the remaining trade exception from the Bosh Sign and Trade to acquire some type of package that could include a mid first round pick (or higher) and a decent Big Man.
Final Thoughts
5 of 5
This trade is a win-win for both teams:
Memphis: They get a smart and solid veteran PG in Calderon that will be a mentor for the young, but talented, Mike Conley and a first round draft pick to add another young prospect to their roster.
Toronto: Gets a superstar and a consistent scorer at the 2 spot, this allows them to move DeRozan to the 3 where I think he is much better suited, especially if he works on his Defense.
However, if Toronto was to make this trade it would be crucial that we go out and acquire another PG and if we add Sonny Weems in the trade we will need someone who can take over his minutes.
This may be a long shot but I think we could work something out in order to get OJ Mayo, and I think he could really benefit the Toronto Raptors.
