The Knicks FIX T-Mac Attack?[This has been floating around for a while now, but it clearly will pick up steam now that it's reached Jonathan Givony's desk.] The playoff success of the Houston Rockets without Tracy McGrady has made the injury-plagued all-star expendable. With one year and $23.2M left on his deal -- plus the baggage he brings with him as a high-maintenance personality -- there are few teams that can afford to bring him in. The Knicks, obviously, are one. Several persons with knowledge of the situation have said the Knicks would strongly consider McGrady, even as a one-year mercenary. The two could use each other: McGrady wants another mega-deal before free agency in 2010 and should be motivated to be in the best shape of his life for this coming season. And his number comes off the cap in 2010, so if it doesn't work out, the committment is short and does not impact the long-term plan. Of course if it does, the Knicks would have to strongly consider re-signing him. Here is where I see the risk, because it's been well-documented that McGrady does not maintain any type of practice or conditioning habits. But it's tantalizing for the Knicks, who are desperate for a star-quality player who can make them a legitimate playoff contender in the East. The Knicks could put together a package that would save the Rockets some money and include a veteran shooting guard with an expiring contract -- Larry Hughes ($13.6M) -- along with Cuttino Mobley's 80-percent insured $9.5M deal. Mobley could then officially retire with the team that drafted him (and originally knew about his heart condition). Call it full circle. McGrady is working out with Tim Grover in Chicago. Grover is Michael Jordan's trainer who also helped get Dwyane Wade back to MVP status this season. Grover, of course, also had Eddy Curry in his stable so, you know . . . In Mike D'Antoni's system, I can see McGrady as a point guard/point forward. Seriously. You could play him at the one and run pick-and-rolls that no one would be able to defend. Surround him with shooters and keep the ball moving. Get McGrady out on the open floor and push the ball. On defense, his long arms will help on the perimeter, though help defense will be critical and that's something the Knicks still lack, especially on the interior. Speaking of which, Starberman promoted today's workout invitee, Jordan Hill, as a Knicks target. It's sort of like how I hoped Jessica Simpson would have fallen to me after Nick Lachey let her go a few years back. Even Givony says Hill won't make it past No. 7, where the Golden State Warriors could use him next to Andris Biedrins. Fixer buddy Marcus Thompson of the Contra Costa Times says Hill was told by Don Nelson if he's on the board at No. 7, the Warriors will likely take him. That's good news for the Knicks, because it means at least one of the top guards they have worked out -- Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Brandon Jennings, et al -- still there for the taking. Lots of rumors percolating.... http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/blog/2009/06/tmac_attack.html Not Sure if this was posted. Lock if necessary. PLEASE DO NOT TRADE TO THE KNICKS!
What a dumb writer. Of course it would cost them more than an expiring. McGrady is an expiring himself and has more talent if he manages to get it together than any other player on the Knicks. Obviously they would have to include their lottery pick, Lee, Robinson, or Gallinari before we could even start a conversation.
we'll take the 8th pick (stephen curry??) and eddy curry (someone i believe can be turned around in a great team system like the rockets
I ROFLed at all of this. An offense with McGrady in it "keeping the ball moving"? McGrady pushing the ball in the open floor? McGrady putting in effort on defense? If all this were true then we wouldn't even be talking about trading him.
I look over the entire Knicks roster and there is no one there I would trade Tracy for. I just don't see it.
Man, if Hughes and Mobley is the best that we can get for a $23 million dollar expiring contract in this economy then Morey would not be doing his job.
Amen. We got a huge piece coming out. I can see a 3-4 team trade to make salaries match. I wonder what Morey's scheming...
hilarious. trade our expiring for a retired player and a crappier expiring We are NOT the ones cutting payroll...TMac will be moved for a contributor
David Lee is good but why would we need him if we have Scola already? I could only see him on the team if we were to trade him or someone else later on. Maybe in some deal that involves the Suns and Amare. If we could get their 8th pick + someone on their team not named Mobley then I all for it. This could lead to a trade that leads to another one. Draft day couldn't come quicker.
