NBA Trade Speculation: What Should Memphis Grizzlies Do with O.J. Mayo?

O.J. Mayo has frequently figured into trade rumors during the calender year.  Before the trade deadline last season, the Memphis Grizzlies fielded offers for Mayo.  In the offseason, the Grizzlies continued to show openness towards trading Mayo.

Three significant rumors included Mayo before the trade deadline.  In January, one trade scenario for the Carmelo Anthony trade mentioned swinging Mayo in a three-team deal.  One February possibility had Mayo going to the Pacers for Josh McRoberts and a first-round draft pick.  Another had Mayo headed to the Chicago Bulls, according to Comcast Sports Net Chicago. 

Rumors involving Mayo and the Bulls continued in the offseason.  One idea involved trading a forward, either Omer Asik or Taj Gibson, for Mayo.

Whether the Grizzlies are truly interested in trading the 24-year-old guard will be interesting to see.  Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley told Memphis' The Commercial Appeal in May that he wouldn't take a low offer for Mayo.  That could be a wise stance.

The Heisley method is well aligned.  The Grizzlies should do their best to get value for Mayo in a trade.  Trading Mayo could bring another good defender, such as Gibson or Asik. 

Since the Grizzlies have Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol and their top-three scoring options, they don't need another scorer.  Trading for a defensive player would be best.

In September, Mayo floated the idea via Twitter that his interest in playing basketball had wavered during the season.  Mayo said, "At one point I was like, 'Man do I still want to play?'"  One could wonder if that were serious, and the Grizzlies might want to play that down in trade talks.

If suspicions arise from teams discussing the possibility of acquiring Mayo, the Grizzlies would want to dismiss the issue.  Upon being asked it, general manager Chris Wallace could say it was just fluff since blowback came from Sports Illustrated writer Chris Mannix, who retweeted it.  He could also say that Grizzlies players are proud to play the game.

If Wallace can dismiss the possibility that Mayo is disinterested, the Grizzlies have a better chance of getting value for him.  Value is the name of the game.  The Grizzlies should listen with open ears.  In trade talks, Wallace should bargain for the players who bring the Grizzlies closer to the NBA Finals.