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[Chicago Sun Times] Summer blockbuster still to come(Bulls still interested in T-Mac)

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by jsmee2000, Feb 24, 2008.

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  1. jsmee2000

    jsmee2000 Member

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    Summer blockbuster still to come
    Pax pulled off a deal before deadline, but he'll make a big move in offseason

    February 24, 2008
    BY JOHN JACKSON jjackson@suntimes.com

    The NBA's trading deadline has passed, so the Bulls' roster -- save for perhaps signing an end-of-the bench player -- is set in stone for the rest of the season.

    But make no mistake about it, the three-team, 11-player blockbuster deal the Bulls were a part of just before the deadline passed Thursday was just the first element of a roster revamping that will resume this summer.

    And unlike last summer, no player figures to be untouchable.

    The primary goal for general manager John Paxson will be landing an All-Star-caliber player to be the front man for the team's talented young roster. Of course, that's easier said than done. The Bulls have been looking for that player for the last few years without much success.

    The biggest names that might be on the market this summer are Jermaine O'Neal of the Pacers and Tracy McGrady of the Rockets.

    O'Neal, 29, has been slowed by knee injuries and hasn't played since Jan. 16. He recently began doing some on-the-court work, but it remains unclear when (or if) he'll play again this season.

    If not for the injury problems, O'Neal might have been dealt at the deadline. The Pacers need to rebuild, and O'Neal is the team's most attractive asset.

    But dealing for O'Neal, who has two years and $44 million left on his contract after this season, would be a huge gamble. When healthy, he's a 20-point, 10-rebound performer with a solid low-post game. But there's no telling how healthy he'll be next season.

    As for McGrady, 30, it's unclear whether he'll be on the market, but my guess is the Rockets may be tempted to move him if they fail to advance in the playoffs again.

    Even though the Rockets entered the weekend with a 10-game winning streak, they were seventh in the rugged Western Conference and were only a couple of losses from falling out of the top eight. Advancing in the playoffs without home-court advantage will be a tall order this season.

    McGrady, who also has two years and $44 million remaining on his deal, was averaging 21.1 points and 5.6 assists entering the weekend. The downside to the 6-8 shooting guard is the back problems that have hampered him at times in recent years.

    Other lesser players that might be on the market are forward Lamar Odom of the Lakers (one year, $14.56 million), Mike Miller of the Grizzlies (two years, $18.75 million) and Al Harrington of the Warriors (two years, $19.2 million).

    As for free agents that might be available in sign-and-trade deals, forward Antawn Jamison of the Wizards is the biggest name. Gilbert Arenas of the Wizards and Shawn Marion of the Heat also could opt out of their contracts to become free agents.

    Lesser free agents include center Kwame Brown of the Grizzlies.

    Which player Paxson pursues remains to be seen, but this much is nearly certain: The Bulls will make a major deal this summer, and Larry Hughes or Ben Gordon will be a part of the trade.

    --------

    McGrady is NOT going to be traded. We are going far and deep into the playoffs. Why do they keep insisting on writing this crap.
     
    #1 jsmee2000, Feb 24, 2008
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2008
  2. magnetik

    magnetik Member

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    it's coming from Chicago ... we've seen this before with everyone they have "wanted" i.e. Kobe, Tmac, etc pure speculation at best
     
    #2 magnetik, Feb 24, 2008
  3. macfan

    macfan Member

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    Tmac is not 30, he's 28. If he can't even get simple facts like that straight, how can he be a reliable source?

    Besides, it's one thing to want Tracy McGrady and another thing to pull off a trade. I want a Ferrari.
     
    #3 macfan, Feb 24, 2008
  4. Keivan

    Keivan Member

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    The writers from Chicago have a problem. This will make T-Mac laugh just like last time :D
     
    #4 Keivan, Feb 24, 2008
  5. Clutch

    Clutch Administrator
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    If the Rockets go far and deep in the playoffs, then you're right -- he won't be traded.

    But if the Rockets fall short again in the first round? Not saying it will happen, but "if"? The article says "my guess is the Rockets may be tempted to move him if they fail to advance in the playoffs again" -- and that would probably be my guess also.
     
    #5 Clutch, Feb 24, 2008
  6. Raven

    Raven Member

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    Gee, you think.

    If the Rockets get bounced out of the first round, I just don't see how the Rockets could bring him back. What might hold up trading him is the insane buyer's market, where stars are worth pennies on the dollar.
     
    #6 Raven, Feb 24, 2008
  7. across110thstreet

    across110thstreet Member

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    and the Warriors want Yao... according to the Bay Area news reports :rolleyes:
     
    #7 across110thstreet, Feb 24, 2008
  8. hatemavs4life

    hatemavs4life Member

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    What do you expect? Choke-cago sucks and the writers have to drum up some excitement somehow for the Bulls because, their play has been largely uninspiring to say the least! They REALLY want T-Mac because, he REALLY gets up to playing those guys. He breaks their hearts, good! :D
     
    #8 hatemavs4life, Feb 24, 2008
  9. hatemavs4life

    hatemavs4life Member

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    Agreed. But, with this scoring balance and team defense combination recently being put on display, I don't see the Rockets getting bounced one and done this year. I see us at least in the Conference finals if not ... in the big kahuna!

    But, definitely it wasn't enough and it still will not be enough to just make the playoffs, they have to show something significant this year, NO EXCEPTIONS!

    Or yes, significant changes WILL be made!
     
    #9 hatemavs4life, Feb 24, 2008
  10. jasonemilio

    jasonemilio Member

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    First of all-Tmac is 28, NOT 30!
    But the possibility is definitely valid if he doesn't advance us into the playoffs, even though we should never blame it one person
     
    #10 jasonemilio, Feb 24, 2008
  11. poprocks

    poprocks Member

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    Bulls blah blah blah...the fans up there all want the second coming of Michael Jordan to rescue them. Well they are not getting T-Mac. No, Kobe isn't going to rescue you and you're not getting Lebron James. If you want another Jordanesque player, then tank the rest of the season and get a lottery franchise player...but do it in a year where there is another high school sensation with so much upside that you can't help but win games with him. Too bad there aren't any such players coming up lol.

    Sorry Bulls fans but I see suckage into your future for many more years. :D
     
    #11 poprocks, Feb 24, 2008
  12. t_mac1

    t_mac1 Member

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    i agree, if the team does not advance deep this yr, tmac WILL be traded. although it shouldn't be completely his fault b/c it's yao's team this year, but he WILL take the blame regardless.

    and i don't mind. he's been here for 4 yrs now. if this is the results we're going to get with him, then there's no point of keeping him any longer.

    i'm sure if we fail to advance again, tracy would want to be out anyway. so it's a good deal for both sides.

    but we WILL advance :D
     
    #12 t_mac1, Feb 24, 2008
  13. pippendagimp

    pippendagimp Member

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    Chicago has no one worth trading for. Deng is not great or dominant in any facet of the game. Nocioni = Scola. Gordon is a chucker. Thomas could be a nice piece but c'mon now you don't trade Tracy McGrady for Tyrus freakin Thomas. Heinrich? Next...
     
    #13 pippendagimp, Feb 24, 2008
  14. apocclass

    apocclass Member

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    oh yea baby !!! t-mac for larry hughes !!!! :rolleyes:
     
    #14 apocclass, Feb 24, 2008
  15. Matchman

    Matchman Member

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    Imagine that if Yao plays in a big market team with huge chinese population (CA or NY), the team would have 5 straight years of sell-out crowds.
     
    #15 Matchman, Feb 24, 2008
  16. aggie87

    aggie87 Member

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    well he wasn't saying tmac will be moved...he said the rockets might want to move him if they dont advance out of the first round, which I think might be true ....I would do it for nocioni, hinrich and of course gordon
     
    #16 aggie87, Feb 24, 2008
  17. Chuck 4

    Chuck 4 Member

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    As soon as I saw that he didnt even get McGrady's age correct, I stopped reading.
     
    #17 Chuck 4, Feb 24, 2008
  18. GuerillaBlack

    GuerillaBlack Member

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    Houston has a huge Chinese population if you didn't know.
     
    #18 GuerillaBlack, Feb 24, 2008
  19. Madeinchin4

    Madeinchin4 Member

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    Poor though
     
    #19 Madeinchin4, Feb 24, 2008
  20. HillBoy

    HillBoy Member

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    Sigh! Here we go again...
     
    #20 HillBoy, Feb 24, 2008
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