Mayo to Chicago?

One of the issues for the Grizzlies was the same one the Bulls faced a few years back on whom and when to pay. The Bulls paid Kirk Hinrich, which distracted Luol Deng and Ben Gordon and then it all came crashing down. Similarly in Memphis, where they extended Rudy Gay and Mike Conley with Randolph and Marc Gasol in their final seasons. And Mayo coming up for an extension after this season.

So the assumption is in that small market in the bottom third in attendance they aren’t about to pay Mayo, and may not pay Randolph, who makes $17.7 million. If that were the case, I could see the Grizzlies perhaps taking Taj Gibson to pair with Darrell Arthur and a draft pick for Mayo, though the Grizzlies are said to want much more if they deal Mayo, which doesn’t seem imminent. The Knicks’ name has come up, which it does for basically everyone.

I still think a deal with Washington for Gilbert Arenas given GM Otis Smith’s fondness for Arenas is the most likely. But what about Memphis moving Randolph and Mayo to Orlando for Carter to give them a big name with just one season after this and Brandon Bass, a solid four who can play with Gasol and with a reasonable contract? Then Rashard Lewis stays at three, his natural position and where’s he’s been lately, and the Magic get an inside scorer and presence in Zach (with Howard does anyone outrebound them?) and Mayo to work the perimeter. Maybe Orlando throws in the rights to former No. 1 Fran Vasquez or Ryan Anderson, a good shooting four who is underutilized. Of all the contending teams, you know the one who has to do something to have a chance is the Magic. And Mayo would be a wonderful addition for someone.