The Boston Celtics are willing to give up Brandon Bass to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for 6'5 guard O.J. Mayo, sources tell A. Sherrod Blakely of the CSN New England. The Celtics were reportedly interested in acquiring Mayo before the March trade deadline, but couldn't make a deal happen.
A deal isn't imminent, and Bass, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent, would have to agree to a sign and trade. Bass has said that would prefer to return to Boston, but he would need a significant bump in salary from the $4.25 million he made last season.
Mayo would give the Celtics some much-needed athleticism at guard, complementing Rajon Rondo. He would also allow the Celtics to move their focus to acquiring a big man in the 2012 NBA Draft. Mayo averaged 12.6 points in 26.8 minutes per game last season.
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