HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

The Memphis Grizzlies have decided to ban gambling following a fight between O.J. Mayo and Tony Allen, but that may not be the only change stemming from the incident. More drastic changes may be on the way with league sources believing that the fight increases the chance that Mayo will be traded before February’s deadline.

For weeks, Mayo has been anticipating a trade and telling those close to him that a deal could occur before the trade deadline. While Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has met privately with the guard to dismiss trade rumors that have surfaced, sources say that there aren’t many others in the organization that remain firmly planted in Mayo’s corner.

Everyone in the organization, including the players, knows that Heisley loves Mayo. He holds a lot of the power in Memphis, but incidents like the one that occurred on Monday will make it all the more difficult to justify keeping Mayo and could alter Heisley’s stance.

According to sources, Mayo instigated the confrontation on the team plane and continued to berate Allen even after he tried to walk away from the situation. While the Grizzlies were disappointed in both players, the bulk of the blame landed on Mayo’s lap considering his role in the fight and because this was his second confrontation with a teammate in two months.

During the third game of the season, Mayo got into a shouting match with Rudy Gay on the bench and the two players had to be seperated by teammates. In recent weeks, Mayo’s name has surfaced in trade rumors and sources believe that the likelihood of a deal has only increased after Monday’s altercation.

Make no mistake: the Grizzlies won’t trade Mayo just to get him out of Memphis. It would take the right deal for the team to consider moving Mayo because of his potential and relationship with Heisley. But teams have been calling for the guard ever since head coach Lionel Hollins moved him to the bench in November and the Grizzlies may now be ready to engage in those conversations.

Mayo can either sign an extension next season or become a restricted free agent over the summer which could pose problems for management in Memphis. Rudy Gay and Mike Conley Jr. received their large extensions and this summer, the team will have to decide whether or not to pay free agents Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. It will be very difficult for the Grizzlies to retain the services of each player, especially if Mayo pursues an extension or offer sheet worth starter money which he feels he deserves. Though he has handled the benching with maturity, there’s no question that Mayo has been frustrated with his lack of playing time and would love to earn a starting role and salary.

With his diminished role and looming contract situation already causes for concern in Memphis, Monday’s altercation could be what convinces the team to fulfill Mayo’s prophecy and trade the guard. Disappointed with his play and behavior, it seems time for the Grizzlies to explore all of their options.

Teams Tracking Overseas Talent: In the past, there was a belief that players who ended up overseas would have a very difficult time turning their NBA dreams into reality. Going overseas meant following the money while playing in the NBA Development League meant keeping your dream alive. Many players felt that one they crossed the border, they were out of sight and out of mind.

But this season, teams are proving that isn’t always the case.

After watching players such as Gary Neal, Gary Forbes, Serge Ibaka, Pooh Jeter, Sundiata Gaines, and John Lucas III make the transition from overseas standout to contributor, teams are looking for the next crossover talent.

{AUTHOR_BOX}Players, especially guards, in top overseas leagues are being tracked and compared to the current crop of transplant players currently contributing in rotations around the NBA. While many of the previously mentioned players earned their roster spot thanks to surprising play during Summer League or training camp, don’t be surprised if teams enter next summer knowing and coveting certain players that made an impact for their teams overseas.

Former lottery picks such as Ricky Rubio and Fran Vazquez obviously garner interest, but other players are also showing up on the NBA’s radar. Standouts like Aaron Jackson, Jeremy Pargo, Bo McCalebb, and Jamont Gordon could be the next players to successfully make the transition to the pros after leading their teams overseas.

Jackson and Pargo are on one-year deals so they could surface sooner than McCalebb and Gordon, who are each currently signed to large three-year deals with their respective clubs.

Last year, both Jackson and Pargo competed in the Las Vegas Summer League. Jackson played for the Cavaliers behind the previously mentioned Jeter and Pargo suited up for the point guard heavy Timberwolves. Both will try to jumpstart their NBA careers again this summer with different results this time around.

These players are putting up numbers comparable to their peers that have successfully made the jump to the pros which should attract teams next summer. With plenty of this season’s diamond in the rough players emerging from overseas play, expect more of the same in the future.

NBA News and Notes: Here are some items from this week’s news and notes bin.

• The Golden State Warriors have guaranteed Acie Law’s contract for the remainder of the season and the point guard couldn’t be happier. Law loves the situation in Golden State and is ecstatic to be with the Warriors after being waived from the Memphis Grizzlies earlier this season. Sources close to the point guard say that he would likely be interested in re-signing with the Warriors this summer if the team were to offer a two or three year deal. After playing for five teams in four years, Law wants some stability and would be thrilled if that came with the Warriors.

• On Monday, all contracts become guaranteed so many players on non-guaranteed deals have been waived in the last few days. The casualties included Jarron Collins, Sundiata Gaines, Rodney Carney, John Lucas III, Lester Hudson, Ronald Dupree, Damien Wilkins, Steve Novak, Ime Udoka, and Pops Mensah-Bonsu. However, don’t be surprised if many of those players resurface in the coming days now that teams can offer 10-day contracts. Collins was the first to return to the team that waived him, the Los Angeles Clippers, on a 10-day contract and many others could follow in his footsteps.

• The NBA announced on Wednesday evening that Blake Griffin, Brandon Jennings, Serge Ibaka, and JaVale McGee will compete in this year’s Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. As part of the special online video series, "Sprite  Slam Dunk: Countdown to the Contest," each participant will be paired with a dunk coach that will help them create and practice dunks. Griffin will match up with Kenny Smith, Jennings will practice with Darryl Dawkins, McGee will work with Chris Webber, and Ibaka will prepare with Kevin Durant.