http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/sportstoryS0628MAGIC.htm (I can't get the link to work properly...try GOOGLE "Steve Francis" under "NEWS" section of Google then sort by date Francis plans to visit Orlando today BY JOHN DENTON FLORIDA TODAY ORLANDO -- One way or another, the Orlando Magic are set to introduce their new point guard today (Monday). Jameer Nelson, the player Orlando traded for on draft night, will meet the media today at 10:30 a.m. at the team's headquarters. And apparently there's a chance he could be joined by fellow point guard Steve Francis. Francis, the subject of trade rumors involving Tracy McGrady and others for two weeks, told the Houston Chronicle on Sunday night that he was planning to fly to Orlando today for a meeting with Magic management. "I think (Monday) I'm going to Orlando," Francis said. "I don't know, but I think I'm going." Francis is the centerpiece of a deal that would involve the Magic also getting shooting guard Cuttino Mobley and center Kelvin Cato. The Magic would be giving up McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines. Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, told FLORIDA TODAY that the Magic want to keep Francis as their point guard. But Mobley and Cato could be moved in other trades once they reach Orlando. Francis, a three-time all-star, initially balked at the thought of joining a Magic team clearly in the throes of rebuilding following a 21-61 season. But Fried said that Francis was agreeable to the trade after having a 20-minute phone conversation with Magic general manager John Weisbrod Thursday night. Weisbrod said Friday that he's anxious "to look into the white's of Francis' eyes" and get a true feeling for his thoughts about coming to Orlando. "You know, I was mad, but now I'm cool about everything," Francis said.
more confirmation on the likelihood of monday's announcement , good good grr..... wish they'd make the announcement now
From ESPN's Orlando Board... According to ESPNNews, the Magic are trying to bring a 3rd team into the deal and that team is Golden State. The trade would work like this. Magic trade: McGrady, J. Howard, Gooden, Gaines and Lue Magic get: Richardson, Jones, Francis, Cato, Robinson Rockets trade: Francis, Mobley, Cato Rockets get: McGrady, Lue, Gaines and J. Howard Warriors trade: Richardson, Robinson and Jones Warriors get: Mobley, Gooden Team outlook if this trade goes down: PGs Francis, Nelson SGs Richardson, Stevenson SFs Hill, Garrity, Bogans PFs Howard, Robinson, Jones Cs Cato, Declercq
This was on the USA Today site posted at 11:44pm EST... http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2004-06-27-mcgrady-francis_x.htm McGrady-Francis deal still on table but end uncertain By John Denton, Florida TODAY ORLANDO — The Tracy McGrady trade saga has churned into its second week for the Orlando Magic with no definitive end in sight. Steve Francis, the key piece of compensation in a potential trade with the Houston Rockets, has held an in-depth conversation with Magic management, which suggests that a deal is close. But as he did with Thursday's drafting of high school phenom Dwight Howard, Magic general manager John Weisbrod continues to keep all discussions shrouded in mystery and says he feels no pressure to hurry into a deal. "The knowledge of it would be useful for us in free agency, but as long as we know what our options are, I don't feel a lot of pressure from the timing of it," he said. According to Jeff Fried, Francis' agent, the trade on the table would involve the Magic getting Cuttino Mobley, Kelvin Cato and Francis, while the Rockets would get McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines. One factor that might speed up the process is that Lue has the option to opt out of his contract by Wednesday. If so, he can't be included in a trade. Weisbrod said Magic improvements have rarely come up in negotiations with McGrady and agent Arn Tellem. He suggested that getting Dwight Howard likely would play very little of a role in McGrady's decision to stay or go. "It hasn't been about trying to find ways to convince him to stay," Weisbrod said. "It's about determining what's best for our team." Both of the Wisebrod quotes are from the past couple of days, so nothing new except that thing about Francis having an "in-depth conversation" with team management.
unless they get the headsup that it will be a dual purpose press conference.... Introducing your 2004-2005 Orlando Magic point guards......Steve Francis and Jameer Nelson. oh well...I guess I can at least cover my bases and record ESPN News....they should cover it either way.
WOW there were 5 posts all at the 11:11 mark in this thread. Pretty impressive feat! Man, I better wake up then to read the BBS and see what's up. I can't wait! The suspense is really draining me... I need some beer.
