NBA Trade Rumors: Milwaukee Bucks are shopping O.J. Mayo

Once lauded as “the next LeBron James in high school”, the NBA hasn’t treated O.J. Mayo well. According to Andrew Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, it looks like the Milwaukee Bucks have the shooting guard on the trading block once again:

Following his four-year stint with the Memphis Grizzlies, Mayo has bounced around the league, first landing with the Dallas Mavericks before finding himself a member of the Milwaukee Bucks on a 3-year deal worth $24 million, turning down offers from contenders in order to make a profit as many athletes do.

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Ankle injuries became an issue for the two-guard, but Mayo’s inability to stay in shape forced the Bucks to look elsewhere. Toward the end of the season, Mayo was more of an afterthought to Milwaukee rather than a building point as the franchise looks to improve for the future.

Now with Jabari Parker in the fold, there’s little need for Mayo on the roster as his sole job was to provide perimeter scoring for a team that lacked talent. If Mayo can find himself back in basketball shape, there’s no reason to think a team won’t take a flyer on him. Based on the current market, $8 million isn’t egregious, but with effort being an issue that may deter teams on the chance to acquire Mayo. If the Bucks really want to move him as they bring in a new regime, the front office may be forced to sell low on his value.

O.J. Mayo averaged 11.7 points on 40% shooting, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in 2013-14.