NBA Trade Rumors: What Pacers Must Do to Seal Deal for O.J. Mayo
Pacers beat writer for the Indianapolis Star, Mike Wells said that the Indiana Pacers—seeing the New York Knicks are on the precipice of inking Jamal Crawford in a sign and trade—are working to deal their own free agent Josh McRoberts in a sign and trade to land Memphis Grizzlies guard, OJ Mayo.
Last year, the Pacers tried to get Mayo, but were dismissed because they missed the trade deadline by mere minutes (according to ESPN).
The Pacers are in need of a shooting guard after last year's starter, Mike Dunleavy, lived up to his name and "done left."
OJ Mayo would fit the bill. Hopefully this time the NBA won't hold the Mayo.
Mayo would find himself in a lineup that could conceivably also be adding David West. West's deal is starting to fall apart with the Boston Celtics, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
"Indiana has been discussing a two-year deal with West but with a higher annual salary, sources said. The Pacers have cap space to sign West outright, while Boston, which is over the salary cap, needs the sign-and-trade scenario to acquire him.
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A starting lineup featuring Darren Collison, OJ Mayo, Danny Granger, David West and Roy Hibbert would be an intriguing one, and am improvement that made it to the postseason behind a late-season push under new coach Frank Vogel.
The team then handed the NBA's top seeded Chicago Bulls a much bigger battle than they'd anticipated. Improving their lineup at two positions would certainly be another step in the direction of making the Pacers a contender, though they'd still be at least a superstar away from being among the elite.
