Sam Smith writes: http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/smith_081208.html?rss=true -- It's probably not even a scenario yet, but it could be, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Houston Rockets would love it to be, though they dare not say anything. But Tracy McGrady is out again with knee problems that the Rockets doctors and outside specialists have said would improve but McGrady has to play through it. One of the longtime issues with McGrady's health, be it back or knee problems, has been a disinterest in rehabilitation and the work it takes. I believe the Rockets would love to deal McGrady, less for the longtime playoff failures his teams have had, but because of the constant distractions his injuries have become. "It's always a different situation, different people out on the floor, and it hurts you on both ends of the floor," coach Rick Adelman lamented to local media last week. "If you play eight or nine people consistently, it helps you, but that's what the NBA is all about. You're going to have injuries. You're going to have people go out." Now, most of the injured are returning, though the uncertainty remains McGrady, and you can't run a team like that. The question is whether anyone would take a shot at McGrady, though just 29 and certainly capable of a few more big seasons. He is a star like attraction, but he prefers half court play as he's slowed down and slows the team. Houston wants to play faster than he does, as well. And the Rockets believe they can make a run now and have to while Yao remains healthy. And perhaps McGrady can be that final piece, a role player who can help a team on the edge or just provide veteran experience or a player with some cachet who has just two years remaining on his deal. Perhaps that's Cleveland's final move for the expiring deals of Wally Szczerbiak and Eric Snow. How about Miami for Shawn Marion? Probably not. How about something with Detroit? Perhaps for Allen Iverson or more likely Rasheed Wallace, that big power forward to aid Yao and an additional piece like Kwame Brown to match salaries? Maybe with the Suns for Shaq? It's not working that great there, and Shaq would be an ideal backup for Yao. Or maybe the Bulls take a shot with Larry Hughes and Andres Nocioni, two pieces the Rockets could use to bolster their depth and toughness. If McGrady recovers even a little bit, I'd guess the Rockets would have to be intri gued by something, and McGrady isn't done. I could see him making those jumpers off LeBron's penetration.
You want to add McGrady to the Cavs team><? That's literally handing them the O'Brien trophy. No frickin' way.
Looks like Sam Smith is at it again with his baseless speculation to bring attention to his articles.
To the Cavs for nothing more than expiring contracts made me laugh. McGrady's contract is for a lot of money per season, but it ends on the right season (2010). For that reason alone it will (or should) have good value if it was used as a trading chip. If perception is reality though, the article does illustrate how far T-Mac's trade value has fallen as a player.
Wait. He suggests we want a salary dump? When we could just wait a year? As if we are rebuilding? I have a headache.
Hasn't Sam Smith been making up T-Mac trade rumors for years? I think his last attempts were just before this season.
Right... that was the hilarious part. The Rockets don't need to dump T-Mac for one year of his salary off the books... it makes no sense. The Rockets are properly positioned, in my opinion, to give this season an all-in run and make serious roster decisions this summer.
The cavs have Lebron James only almost have the championship in year 2007, if they get Tmac, I think James wont leave Cleveland.
This is the truth. If we were going to let McGrady go, why would we follow his scenario? It makes no sense. We can see where we get this season and then make a decision based on it. T-Mac is off the books after next season. If we want to let him go, that's when we do it because it will allow us to be big players in the LeBron sweepstakes (which has many other prizes)...
How does Sam Smith still have a job, this is like 3 years in a row he's been speculating that we'll trade Tracy. Larry Hughes? Seriously? You couldn't come up with anything better than that? Newsflash: no team that hopes to be a serious contender would even think about acquiring Hughes.
Disagree. McGrady is a horrible fit there. He and Lebron both play the same way, McGrady would command the ball too much. Unless he continues his 40% 3pt shooting it would take an offensive guru to make that duo function.
As we saw against Mephis, Yao Ming is not 'the man', in Houston. Tracy McGrady is the leader of this team. To blame him for our failure to escape the first round is crazy. We didn't not lose all those play-offs games because of one player. We kept losing to the Jazz because Yao could not guard Boozer and would refuse to go and guard Okur away from the paint. We also missed out because of lack of depth at the Power Forward spot and Point Guard. This team needs Tracy McGrady top have success, it is that simple. If our team losses to teams like Memphis by double digits, that is not T-Mac fault. Last year we completed our 22 game winning streak without Yao Ming, but could not beat the Grizzlies without T-Mac. I am sick and tired of people posted threads and posting in threads that T-Mac is the problem. As far as his knee goes this season. Playing Basketball is not the only form of rehab. We need T-mac to be able to play without pain and if we cannot handle teams like Memphis, then there is a different problem.
when tracy is healthy, he "is" the guy for us. but he rarely is. so i mean, if you can trade for someone better than him, you would. but the problem is, there's no possibility out there.
I don't think it's about the position. T-Mac is known to let others play their game (though many would refute that here). I think if T-Mac goes there he will let LeBron play his game. The point would be to put talent around LeBron. It's not necessarily in the right position, but it won't interfere with his game. Also, McGrady gets off the books the same season LeBron does, that doesn't hurt anything in the Cavs long-term planning. But all WE get is...Wally!? and Eric Snow!? Wtf...forget that.
Stop this madness. Sam Smith is determined to see McGrady traded, LOL. The Rockets have a HUGE chip to play with in McGrady and it comes at the right time in 2010. Wade... anyone?
