Minnesota Timberwolves Discussing Sign-and-Trade for O.J. Mayo
By Josh Hill
The Minnesota Timberwolves have made it known that they’re interested in brining in shooting guard help this offseason and the name at the top of their list O.J. Mayo. While May is drawing interest around the NBA, the Timberwolves are the latest team to be in talks with the Dallas Mavericks for a sign-and-trade deal that will land them the guard they covet.
According to ESPN1500 Wolves beat writer Darren Wolfson, the trade would send both Luke Ridnuor and J.J. Barea to Dallas in exchange for Mayo and his contract.
Latest on #Twolves: have had sign-and-trade talks with Dallas for Mayo, source says. Ridnour or Barea would go to Dallas. Not imminent yet.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) July 1, 2013
As Wolfson stated, the deal is not close to happening anytime soon but it is being discussed. However, before Wolves fans get too excited, the Mavericks remain in talks with the Los Angeles Clippers for a sign-and-trade deal that would send Mayo to the Clippers in exchange for Eric Bledsoe.
Of course, any deal the Mavericks get serious about hinges on the Dwight Howard contract talks as signing the big man is the first and foremost priority on the Mavericks to-do list this offseason. But Mark Cuban and company aren’t putting all their chips into the Dwight Howard pool as they have been setting up contingency plans all day long from these sign-and-trade rumors to meeting with players like Andre Iguodala and Kevin Martin.