In a mild surprise, the Memphis Grizzlies have elected not to issue a qualifying offer to shooting guard O.J. Mayo, which makes him an unrestricted free agent, according to Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. The decision almost certainly means that Mayo will be wearing another team's uniform next season.
NBA Free Agency: O.J. Mayo Becomes An Unrestricted Free Agent
Had the Grizzlies picked up Mayo’s qualifying offer, they would have been able to match any free-agent offer he received. Instead, they decided not to risk the possibility that Mayo would reject all free-agent contract offers and choose to play for the value of the $7.4 million qualifying offer in a lame-duck season of sorts before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2013-14.
Mayo averaged 12.6 points per game on 41 percent shooting in a sixth man role for the Grizzlies last year. The former No. 3 overall pick has been a mild disappointment in his NBA career, and the Grizzlies have come close to trading him several times.
For more on the Grizzlies, visit Straight Outta Vancouver.
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