Mike Francesa, a very reliable source of WFAN in New York City, confirmed Almu's report on his Mike and the Mad Dog show. The logic for the Rockets is saving a year from Tracy's contract so they can re-sign some of their own pieces and add a few others. New York believes they have the necessary pieces to thrive with McGrady as the go-to guy. Also, this could be part of Isiah's plan in his resignation and hiring of Jeff Van Gundy as head coach, thus re-uniting TMac and JVG. Thomas apparently tried to lure Jeff away in 2005, but JVG was happy in Houston, and at the time, very pleased Les picked up his contract option following the playoff series loss to Dallas.
The only way I can possibly see this happening is if the Knicks send us Marbury AND David Lee AND an unprotected 1st for McGrady. Even that seems a bit of a stretch to me, though.
P1,S2: I completely understand that based on the reality of the situation that it is actually Marbury who's deal expires earlier. What I was pointing out, I'm not sure if it was a typo on Almu's part, was that he thought it was T-Mac with the expiring contract - essentially that we weren't doing this for a salary dump but because we thought Marbury was actually better for us on the court.
Keep in mind that that 1st rounder, unprotected or not, is completely worthless. McGrady in the East takes that team top 4, guaranteed.
That is the understatement of the year. I think Tracy will go into motivational shut down if this were to happen. The Rockets are listening to offers but that doesn't mean they will trade him. It's all on Tracy. How he reacts when the team faces adversity on the court and whether he can play within the system will be big factors on deciding whether the Mac-Yao project is over. I don't know about the former but I think him meshing with the system has a real chance of happening. I just don't see management making a decision about Tracy until they've had a chance to see him re-integrated with the team. A move like that would most likely happen in the off-season if it where to happen at all.
I would understand this a little bit more if Marbury's deal expired THIS year, but it expires in TWO years. Sure, that's one less than McGrady, but come on. If they're seriously considering this mostly from the standpoint of cap relief, why not wait a year, eh? Instead of suffering Marbury for TWO years? Like I said, if this happens now, we better damn well be getting David Lee in return, or there better be a third team involved that will give a piece that can actually help us a little NOW. EDIT: Ah, didn't see the thing about the early termination option. Nevermind, I guess.
Marbury's contract expires at the end of this season. Neither Marbury nor Tmac have won anything, but Tmac is obviously the more talented player. The only reason I could see the Rockets even consider that move is if management decided we are not contenders this year at all and wanted the cap space from marbury's contract and their number one pick to rebuild next year quickly. Still it certainly would be unlikely to improve the Rockets this season in any way. I wouldn't be surprised if the Knicks inquired about such a deal, but I seriously doubt it would be one the Rocket's suggested. Besides if Tmac was truely unhappy here, I can't imagine he would be happier in NY. 2008 New York Knicks Free Agent status: Restricted: Randolph Morris Unrestricted: Fred Jones, Stephon Marbury (Early Termination Option) Limited Salary Protection: None 2008 Houston Rockets Free agent status: Restricted: Carl Landry, Steve Novak (Team Option), Kirk Snyder Unrestricted: Steve Francis (Players option), Dikembe Mutombo, Bonzi Wells Limited Salary Protection: None
If Rockets is interested in this trade, then that means they declared their notion of win it now is a total failure and is ready to go into another round of rebuilding. Without TMac, there is NO WAY Rockets can go deep in the the playoff (they may not even make it at all). The only piece Knicks have is David Lee. But why Rockets would want another PF when they already penciled in Scola, especially if they give up the win it now mentality? It is funny how all this come out after Rox played Knicks last night. Do these New York sports writers all drink in the same bar and made up this story together or something?
NY can still make it to the playoffs with Tmac if they decide sooner. I'm sure they'd ask for Mike James if they're trading away Marbury. Easy upgrade for the Knicks. and that give Boston some troubles.
See, i thought it expired after this year....Marbury has quoted he wants to play in europe after his contract ends. Sorry no link. Its out there, don't feel like looking for it.
No, it doesn't end at the end of this season. He has an option to end it after this season, but he would have to be crazy (he is a little) to terminate his contract and leave that ~20 mill on the table.
You must be kidding. The East is very bad, but the Knicks are 9-25 right now which means that to even to get to 500 which right now the worst team in the East playoffs is at, they would need to go 33-7 the rest of the way just to get the 8 seed. The 4 seed would be pretty much unobtainable. TMac would not carry this Knicks team to that record.
