Mayo could test free agency: Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo is a restricted free-agent this summer, and with the Grizzlies nearly capped out for the 2012-13 season, the team is not expected to retain his services. Mayo told the Memphis Commercial-Appeal after the team’s first-round loss to the Clippers in the playoffs that he is interested in staying, stating, "[the team] just keeps getting better and better. Why not stick around and finish it out and see where we can get?" What could complicate that desire is Mayo’s stated wish to play point guard moving forward, as the Grizzlies already have big money invested in current starter Mike Conley and seem to have no plans to bring Mayo back into the starting lineup after he played the role of the sixth-man over the previous two playoff campaigns.. (Updated 05/20/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/26/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Mayo is coming off a tough first-round of the playoffs, when he shot just 27.4 percent from the field while average 8.9 points per game in seven games against the Clippers. However, he has shown a clear offensive ability, averaging 12.6 points per game in just 26.8 minutes this season. He will likely be one of the most intriguing names on the free-agent market this season, and could end up finding a place where a team utilizes him as a primary scorer. The likely best-case scenario for his Fantasy value would be a move to a new city, so keep an eye out for where he lands and consider him a late-round Fantasy option with upside on Draft Day. (Updated 05/20/2012).
05/10/2012 00:42 Gasol, Randolph help Grizzlies force Game 6 against Clippers
Marc Gasol scored 23 points and Zach Randolph added 19 as the Memphis Grizzlies avoided elimination by beating the Los Angeles Clippers 92-80 on Wednesday night, forcing a Game 6 in the Western Conference first-round series.
O.J. Mayo went through a tumultuous season in 2010-11 that saw him lose not only his role as a go-to option in the offense, but also his starting job. His scoring dipped from 17.5 points per game to 11.2 points per game, but appeared to get back in the good graces of the franchise during the team's playoff run, scoring 15-plus points in four of the team's last games as he earned himself more playing time. Mayo is fully capable of getting back to the scoring level he enjoyed during his first two NBA seasons if he can get back on the same page with the coaching staff. That will make him a value pick in the later rounds of Fantasy leagues. Available as a reserve option, he might return to being a week-to-week starter under the right conditions. (Updated 8/28/11)
