Courtesy of other thread. Though it deserved its own topic. Sigh, we should all stop jumping the gun and wait and see! New York Knicks deny report that deal for Houston Rockets forward Tracy McGrady is close BY Frank Isola DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER CHICAGO - Tracy McGrady is no longer an All-Star and hasn't been much of an NBA player the last two seasons. What McGrady is, however, is available and with Donnie Walsh desperate to breathe life into his floundering team, the Knicks appear intent on landing the Houston Rockets' swingman. The trade would send Jared Jeffries, rookie Jordan Hill and either Al Harrington or Larry Hughes to Houston for McGrady, Joey Dorsey and Brian Cook. The teams would also flip-flop first-round picks in 2011, and the Knicks would trade their 2012 first-round pick to the Rockets. Trading Jeffries is crucial for the Knicks because removing his contract, which runs through 2011, would free up additional cap space for the Knicks to sign two max free agents this summer. However, Jeffries also has a $2 million trade kicker, one of many reasons why the forward is difficult to move. Also, Knicks sources claim that Walsh is not prepared to give up on Hill, the eighth overall pick of the 2009 draft who has played sparingly. McGrady's health is also a factor. His surgically repaired left knee has forced him to miss most of the last two seasons. A Rockets official admitted that "there is no way of knowing how long and how hard" McGrady can play on a daily basis. The Knicks (19-32) begin the post All-Star break with back-to-back games against the Bulls, starting tonight. The only real drama left in their season could play out over the next three days. Walsh and his long-time friend, Arn Tellem, McGrady's agent, are trying to figure out a way to get McGrady to New York prior to Thursday's trade deadline. According to a person familiar with the negotiations, a more plausible scenario is the Knicks signing McGrady after the deadline once he reaches a buyout agreement with Houston. "I don't think the Knicks are doing anything except waiting for McGrady to be released," the source said. Tellem is putting pressure on the Rockets to grant McGrady, who was banished by the team in December, his freedom to resume his career. The Rockets, of course, are not obligated to do anything with McGrady. They are willing to trade him for any combination of expiring contracts, draft picks and young players. Houston has been in talks with the Bulls and Sixers about a deal for McGrady, who has spent most of the last three months training in the Windy City. The Knicks have expiring contracts in the form of Harrington, Hughes and Darko Milicic. McGrady could conceivably be the playmaker Mike D'Antoni covets - for the right price, that is. The Knick brain trust is unhappy with the play of both Chris Duhon and Nate Robinson at point guard and seems reluctant to give rookie Toney Douglas a chance. But a move for McGrady seems to be less about the impact he'll have on the court. Instead, D'Antoni is looking to remove players from the locker room that he feels are either disgruntled or, as the coach sees it, hurting the development of second-year forward Danilo Gallinari. Source
if the rockets buy mcgrady out, then that just illustrates a MAJOR FAIL on their part of doing business. Les isn't the type of owner who would entertain buyout offers from anyone.
Well, I was just going through a rumor from SI.com and it says the possibility of the Knicks getting Tracy McGrady is still alive. http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/158311-knicks-still-in-hunt-for-mcgrady?eref=fromSI Well, I just had my swing full all those days so that I just missed out on the All-Star, so did those trade rumors and articles out there. Deep down I'm still thinking the deal with Chicago would be the best one for both sides, but the Knicks if they offer Toney Douglas in the package, I'll take it any day of the week. :grin:
Well thats to bad for the knicks, because were not going to buy him out, I guess Tyrus Thomas + Chicago's 1st pick(lottery protected)+ fillers it is..... --RB
Why is it whenever Yahoo reports a deal is in place for the rockets there is a competing article saying its almost completely false? Blazers, Dallas didn't even hint at trades one shows up on the front page as rumor.. its done within a day.. That is pretty annoying.. These are reputable guy saying we have deals in place too.. Roller coaster of emotions..
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Knicks-could-throw-Hill-into-McGrady-deal?urn=nba,219915 Guess it comes down to who you find more reliable, The New York Post, Or The NY Daily News.
Oh, and here is the link to The NY Post article: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/big_ger_mac_attack_IksNMfYSbg0upJRpxffgNK
a buyout won't rid them of jeffries contract. they need to trade jeffries to have a chance of keep lee on top of having a max offer. the only way to do that is to trade with the rockets. so how much is david lee worth to them? i'd say about 2 first round picks and jordan hill.
this is clearly a desperation move and a bluff at the same time. Walsh saw the animated Morey video and is trying to temporarily patch his image before Dork Elvis Pummels his ass.
a quick google search told me that the daily news has twice the circulation than the post. however, i'm not sure if popularity is related to reliability.
I can believe that it could get done today. I'm sure Morey wants a chance to explore other trades before the deadline.
True. I mean, Kelly Clarkson sold more records than Led Zeppelin last year. That doesn't mean she's better. Right?
