McGrady To Houston Thread (Update: Francis will visit Orlando)

FWIW, EsPN.com updated their ongoing T Mac article and it still says that the deal is basically done but on hold until July 1.

 

Cool! Forgive my cynicism but this is starting to get rather humorous.

 

With they BYC expiring (thus the 7/1 date) do you think the players could change? On 7/1 and thereafter Francis full salary would be used, not one-half. Perhaps we will take Cato (I'd assume it would be him) out of the equation. I'd have to spend some time thinking through, and asking more questions, but wouldn't Francis contract status change, change the dollars going out, so we'd need more coming back or one less player (and his dollars) staying with us?

 

I was under the impression that the current deal is based upon Francis' full salary.

 

From http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cheapseats/fanboy/0622fanboy.html

TRACY McGRADY

While it seems that McGrady is one step away from joining the Rockets, a lot of things can happen that would derail the deal. One of which is the Magic can get a lot more than just Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato. The Suns could probably get this deal done offering Marion, Johnson, Voshkul and maybe a future draft choice.

This would be a very tough call. Although there is steady talk that Marion's numbers are declining and he seems to have peaked, he is still one the best small forwards in the West. Meanwhile, Johnson showed that he has the potential to become a very good player in the league. Voshkul would be a throw in, and with the uncertainty of the draft you never know what you may end up getting. The Suns would also need to get assurances that McGrady will re-sign before making any moves.

Still, I get the feeling that the Suns want to do something big. They need to get some buzz back at the AWA and there is nothing better than being able to trot out the NBA's scoring leader. Having McGrady, Amare and still available cap space to sign some free agents would make losing Marion and Johnson a little easier to swallow.

STEVE FRANCIS

This is a bit of a wild card, given Steve Franchise has stated he isn't too keen on playing in Orlando. If the McGrady-to-Houston deal is finalized, then it is very probable that the Magic will turn around and look to move Francis, one of the premier point guards in NBA.

While Francis bristled under Jeff Van Gundy's command, his numbers and his acceptance of the leadership role cannot be overlooked. He had a splendid postseason series against the Lakers, averaging almost a triple double.

So would the Suns be interested? What would it take to get Francis? The Suns have to at least consider the idea. Marion and a first rounder would probably get you the All-Star point guard. That leaves a young nucleus of Amare, Francis, Johnson and it still leaves the Suns in position to go after frontcourt help with players such as Erick Dampier and Mehmet Okur.

While Francis might not have the cachet of Shaq, Kobe or McGrady, he might be a better and cheaper alternative.

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hmmm....not completely unfeasable....Francis to the Suns via Orl. In that case, I'd like to keep Mobley

 

THIS NIGHMARE Will be over tomorrow night.

Regardless if they are waiting til July 1st (or ?) Phoenix is not keeping their pick tomorrow night. They are trading down if not with Orlando. Trading the pick has already been reported in the Phoenix papers.

SO LETS PRAY that Phoenix is eliminated from the trading war tomorrow night.

 

Thanks, AGBee. That would make sense. My bad (and I think I actually knew that ). If I make another stupid mistake today, I'll punish myself and make me read all one thousand plus replies to this thread.

This is crazy!

 

Can this guy make up his mind?!

ESPN Insider Chad Ford: (2:25 PM ET ) I think the issue with the Magic is who they end up trading T-Mac for. If it's Houston, the fact that they get Cato means that Howard, who is more of a four, fits better. If the do another deal, Okafor might be a better fit. With that said, it looks likely that the Magic and Rockets will do their deal.

Just shut up and admit you were wrong!

 

how in the same article can you say that the magic can get ALOT MORE than the rockets deal then turn around and offer marion AND a pick for francis? what? francis is the best player orlando has been offered at this point and mobley is a damn good player as well. i'm really really tired of the crap our package is getting when it is certainly a more than fair deal.

 

the word "Chad Ford" should be blacklisted

 

And if it was Phoenix, it would have been "our" deal, right Chad?

The contrast in his optimism between the two deals is frightening... and its funny cause NOBODY else in the mainstream media is exhibiting such bias besides him. Hell... PTI thinks the deal is about as fair as u can get...

 

That actually is a good sign. Ford has done everything he could to derail this trade. If he is starting to actually BELIEVE it might happen. That says something to me.

 

What an interesting turn of events. After a day of browsing Orlandos message board to see whats going on, all I can say is that if this trade doesnt go down we are royally screwed.

 

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=5496#bottom

 

BTW not a single poster on their board wanted to have this trade happen, not a signle one i repeat.

 

This deal reminds me a lot of the A-Rod trade...everyone thought he was going to Boston then all of a sudden the Yankees make the deal...hopefully the Suns won't take T-Mac away.

 

Or that Ford is always wrong so there won't be a trade.

 

i agree, he's definitely one of the few, other than a few upset Orlando beat writers who don't think this trade is gonna go down. If he's changing his tune, then this deal should go down soon

 

chad ford on espn insider is saying that the deal with houston and orlando will likely go through. you can log on the the live chat on espn.com to view.