I didn't see this article posted in the main thread and the MSNBC thread. But what's weird is, the Chron thinks that we are also getting Gaines in the deal. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2652241 Weisbrod says he's considering other offers for McGrady By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle Steve Francis made plans Monday to go to Orlando today as the Rockets' point guard. Less certain is whether he will return as a member of the Orlando Magic. Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, said Monday that the point guard was scheduled to meet today with Magic general manager John Weisbrod. Fried said the meeting would be the next step in the effort to let Francis learn more about the Magic and for Magic officials to get to know the player they would make the cornerstone of their franchise. Francis' initial reluctance to the deal — which would send him, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato to Orlando for Tracy McGrady, Tyronn Lue, Juwan Howard and Reece Gaines — was thought to have stalled the process. "We're in the process of making arrangements for Steve to fly tomorrow," Fried said Monday afternoon. "I know he's meeting with John. If John decides to bring in the ownership group, that's John's decision. "It was a joint understanding between John and us that the next prudent step is for Steve and John to get together. We talked after the draft and again this morning. It just seems it would be prudent for a team thinking of making player the focal point of a team, and for a player in a trade as the focal point, to spend time together to talk about philosophies and the general approach to things." Weisbrod said that Francis was not traveling to Orlando on Monday and that he was not sure if he was coming to town at all. "I do not know at this point whether we will have him in town or not," Weisbrod said. "If we do, it will be something that he's interested in doing. "I didn't ask him to come to town, and that's probably why he's a little further down that road and telling people that. But if he wants to come to town, we're certainly happy to spend the time." The trade likely would have to be completed by Wednesday without being revised. Lue could opt out of his contract today or Wednesday and cannot be included in the trade if he becomes a free agent unless there is a sign-and-trade arrangement. If the deal is not made by Wednesday, the NBA cannot approve it until July 14, when the July trade and signing moratorium ends. But Weisbrod said Monday he is in no rush to make the move. "Obviously, if you are going to do any trade, you want to do it when the timing is right and the pieces are perfect," Weisbrod said. "But the resolution of the Tracy situation, whether that means he gets traded or we decide to cut bait and put him in the lineup next year, that being resolved in August doesn't adversely affect our ability to do the rest of the things that we have to do." Weisbrod also said he is considering other trade offers for McGrady, the league's top scorer the past two seasons. "I guess there's a total of four (offers under consideration) right now," Weisbrod said. So while Weisbrod said he is considering other offers and Fried said the Magic were considering making Francis the focal point of the team, Francis prepared for a trip that could determine the future of two franchises and "The Franchise" himself.
This is past negotiations. It has reached the point of idiocy when a players agent says one thing and Weisbrod says another. HE IS A BOOB!
Is it me or is Francis plotting some type of payback w/ Wiseass against us? SF is going to be one hated man in Houston.
