Oj Mayo is seeking a comeback. He is looking to make that comeback with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks were Mayo's previous team before he was hit with a two-year ban from the NBA. Mayo admitted to smoking marijuana and abusing pain medications. Mayo believes that his relationships with current Bucks players will allow him to come back.
The Bucks don't need Mayo
The Bucks are a young team that features the "Greek Freak" Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon and Thon Maker. There's also Jabari Parker, who should hopefully be back in the latter part of the season.
The Bucks could use a veteran presence around, but Mayo would not be the right fit. Mayo was not even that productive when he was with the Bucks. Mayo averaged 7.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 2015-2016.
Plus, Mayo was already on the decline. Despite being 29-years old, Mayo's numbers dipped in three consecutive years. In 2012-2013, Mayo averaged 15.3 points a game, but he saw those numbers dip to 11.7, to 11.4, and to 7.8. Mayo is not the player that stood out when he played at USC. He also was reportedly 245 pounds at one point before losing 25 pounds this summer. There are other seasoned veterans that can outplay Mayo.
No ties to Jason Kidd
The current Head Coach of the Bucks in Kidd gives another reason why Mayo is unlikely to play in Milwaukee.
Kidd has no ties to Mayo. They never played together. The only connection the two have is that they both played for Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle. Kidd has no reputation of giving players a second chance in the league. He has been coaching younger tier players in Milwaukee. Kidd coached a veteran-laden team in Brooklyn but has flipped the script with the Bucks.
Mayo does not help playoff push
With all the variables above showing his individual play, it leads to the conclusion that Mayo would not help the Bucks make a playoff push. The only way that Mayo would get another chance is if he were to somehow persuade the team into giving him a chance to fill in for Parker. The former No.
2 overall draft pick in 2014 is not expected back until February or March. The Bucks want to make a push to make the playoffs in a watered down eastern conference.
Mayo could get an opportunity with another team in the league. However, all the evidence supports that the Bucks are not going to be that team. It's great that he has a relationship with former teammates, but he will likely have to formulate new relationships if he wants to stick around.
