OJ Mayo to Become a Free Agent

Mavericks guard OJ Mayo will decline the $4.2 million player option on his deal, making him a free agent for the second consecutive summer. Despite an up-and-down season, Mayo says he wants to work out a long-term deal in Dallas. Per ESPN: “Getting something long term, locking something in is what I think is best for me,’ Mayo said Thursday after his exit interview with coach Rick Carlisle and president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson. Mayo, 25, averaged 15.3 points, 4.4 assists and 3.5 rebounds this season while playing a team-high 35.5 minutes per game. His production dipped significantly after the All-Star break, when star forward Dirk Nowitzki started to return to form after missing the first 27 games while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. Mayo, a five-year veteran and former third overall pick, has acknowledged being disappointed that a better market didn’t develop for him last summer. He said he has yet to seriously consider which other teams could be a fit for him this offseason.”