O.J. Mayo traded

O.J. Mayo was traded to Memphis just hours after being selected third overall by the Timberwolves in this year’s draft. Memphis’s fifth pick Kevin Love and former Rookie of the Year Mike Miller are the two big-named players heading the other way in the eight player deal.

Marko Jaric, Greg Bucknor and an over the hill Antoine Walker will join Mayo in Memphis. Jason Collins and Brian Cardinal will head to Minnesota to match up the salaries.

This is not the first time the Wolves have traded on draft day. In 2006 they drafted the now all star Brandon Roy with the sixth pick before promptly trading him for the less talented Randy Foye, who was drafted at seven.

In 1996 you could also argue they lost out when they gave up Ray Allen (who they drafted at five) and a future first for Stephon Marbury (drafted by Milwaukee at four).They may have done the same again as the talented Mayo has been attracting a lot of interest because of his perceived ability to contribute on both ends. Kevin Love also plays the same position as the Wolves best player Al Jefferson and those two maybe too small to play alongside each other. The signing of the consistent Mike Miller, however, will excite Timberwolves fans. 

Mayo, if he stays in Memphis, maybe destined to a career at shooting guard as the Grizzlies already have a surplus of young point guards – Mike Conley, Kyle Lowry and Javaris Crittenton as well Jaric.

There is talk Mayo maybe used by the Grizzlies to try and get their hands on Michael Beasley, who they have wanted for a long time. Mayo has fans in Miami’s front offices and has also become friends with Heat superstar Dwyane Wade. If this does happen the Love trade makes sense for Memphis, if it doesn’t they have traded away a talented young big and a reliable small forward for yet another young guard.