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NBA Free Agency: 5 Best Low-Stock Targets

By Mike McDaniel

Apr 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Aaron Brooks (0) drives around Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Aaron Brooks (0) drives around Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard O.J. Mayo (3) shoots in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard O.J. Mayo (3) shoots in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

4. SG O.J. Mayo

It’s pretty hard to believe that O.J. Mayo will be just 29 years of age when the new NBA season tips off in October, as it seems like Mayo has been in the league forever since being drafted third overall in 2008 by the Minnesota Timberwolves (and subsequently traded to the Memphis Grizzlies).

Since entering the league that season, Mayo had been labeled as a consistent scorer in both the starter and bench roles that he had assumed over the first seven seasons in his NBA career.

This past season though, his eighth season overall and third with the Milwaukee Bucks, proved to be a career-worst statistically and injury-wise, right in the midst of a contract year.

Mayo fractured his leg in March after falling down the stairs in his home, causing him to miss the rest of the season. Prior to that mysterious “accident” in his home, he was not playing nearly up to standard.

In 41 appearances with the Bucks, Mayo averaged career worsts in points, 7.8 per game, and shooting percentage, 37.1 percent.

Coming off an injury and a career-worst campaign, what would the upside be with Mayo? First, you can get a solid rotational piece on the cheap, as his stock has never been lower coming off of an injury and poor shooting season.

Second, there is reason to believe that his rough shooting campaign was an aberration, as Mayo had never shot worse than 40.7 percent from the field overall prior to last season and is just one full season removed from a 42.2 percent shooting campaign from the field overall, and his third highest mark on two-point field goals (46.5 percent).

Finally, if you’re the general manager of an interested franchise, it is encouraging to note that Mayo is expected to be fully recovered from his fractured leg come opening night in October, as he will be seven months removed from the injury that ended this past year prematurely.

Will a team be interested enough in Mayo this summer, or will he be damaged goods? There is enough of a track record to suggest that he can be a valuable piece of any team’s rotation, but only time will tell whether or not the price will ultimately be right.

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