Jim Gray on the ESPN Draft Show... Francis will visit Orlando on Saturday, per Jeff Fried- apparently "much more amenable to a trade". Gray says the deal is most likely done, but both teams want to let the draft have its focus; expects things to be done in 2-3 days.
I bet we officially find out about the trade this weekend and bet there will be a press conference on Monday. If Francis will be in Orlando over the weekend, I bet they keep him there over the weekend for it.
I hope this is true - but letting the draft "have its focus" sounds like a bunch of smoke in the underpants region to me.
Francis has no clout in the deal and he's forcing himself in a lose lose position. The best he can do is save face or be permanently labled as a crybaby who forces teams to play where he wants. It's dissapointing to see that in him.
If Steve wants to get an marketing share (where the big $$$ and fame is) in his new (or old for those optimistic SFO fans) home, he better turn the corner and with a smile.
I just want this thing to be over, but Francis actually going to Orlando this weekend is a good sign.
You don't plan on "visiting" a town unless you plan on wearing a new hat - the deal should be done this Saturday and his new home will be ORL.
David Aldridge: -Steve feels better about going to Orlando. Talked to NVE and Cassell, and feels a more comfortable now. -Steve is going to visit Orlando this weekend. -If Steve goes to Orlando and doesn't like it, Orlando will try to trade T-Mac to Phoenix. I guess its safe to say its all up to Steve.
David Aldridge just came on and repeated the same thing. He said Francis will meet with the owner this weekend and if the Magic feel Francis doesn't want to go there they will open up talks again with the Suns.
Nate Peake, Francis' business manager, confirmed that Francis would indeed report to Orlando if a trade ultimately goes through. "He is not saying he would not go to Orlando," Peake said. "He is not saying that at all. Steve should have been treated the same way as T-Mac. T-Mac knew what was going on. The first Steve knew was when (the trade) was almost done (earlier this week). He just wanted to know more about the situation, what's going on there and what their plans are." http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/sportstoryS0624MAGICTRADE.htm
I don't understand, has ANYTHING like this ever happen before in history of NBA trades, where a player UNDER CONTRACT basically has the power to decide whether trade goes through or not. Unbelievable!
