Did The Warriors Really Turn Down O.J. Mayo For Monta Ellis?

If there’s one thing you can always count on in the NBA, it’s the Warriors doing something stupid. Maybe that’s a little harsh, but the evidence says so. A couple weeks ago, they cut Speedy Claxton and his insured $5.2 million expiring contract — a major trade chip in this economy — to make space for a NBA D-League guy.

Now, if the San Jose Mercury News’ Tim Kawakami is to be believed, they apparently turned down a trade offer from the Grizzlies that would have sent O.J. Mayo and other contracts for Monta Ellis.

According to multiple NBA sources, the Warriors rejected Memphis’ intriguing offer of OJ Mayo + contract-filler.

This deal was first offered at the start of the season and possibly is still on the table, in Memphis’ view, and still rejected by the Warriors.

Now, unless there are humongous chemistry issues with Mayo, I don’t know how the Warriors could do much better in an Ellis deal.

I’m not the world’s biggest O.J. Mayo fan, but I’ve been very impressed with how he’s become a great complimentary player for the Grizzlies this year. Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay may put up the numbers, but Mayo, along with Marc Gasol, is the soul of that team. If Mayo were to come to Golden State, he would blend in very nicely alongside Stephen Curry. Both are combo guards that are equally capable of making plays with the ball in their hands and off someone else’s creation. Mayo’s also a significantly better defender than Ellis and is cheaper. What’s not to like?

I’m shocked Memphis put this on the table, and I’m even more shocked the Warriors rejected it. Shame on both teams if true.