McGrady: If traded from Orlando, Rockets are first choice

According to this columnist, TMac was telling everyone for months that he wanted to go to Phoenix:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cheapseats/gambo/0531rant.html

While the Suns are still in the hunt for Bryant, they have cooled somewhat on McGrady. The Orlando superstar had comments in this past week’s USA Today saying that San Antonio or the Lakers are teams he would like to go to. Secretly he has been telling people for months now that Phoenix was a prime destination and that he wanted to play here. But McGrady’s recent comments about Orlando’s situation may be showing the Suns brass what a selfish individual he is.

Clearly McGrady’s main priority is to lead the league in scoring, not lead a team to a championship. He is a superb talent, a great player and he would help fill America West Arena night after night. But the Suns will not give up Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson, Jake Voskuhl and the seventh pick in the draft for McGrady. It’s just too rich of a deal. Orlando would have to take less to make something with Phoenix happen.

What will not happen is having Bryant and McGrady together in a Suns uniform. It will either be one or the other or neither. Having both on the same court together could be a recipe for disaster and there are those close to the situation who doubt that they could exist together. Because while McGrady wants to lead the league in scoring, so does Kobe. The differences between the two is simply Bryant is tougher, a better defender and has more leadership skills.

 

redglare-

the only problem i have with that scenario is, if we do take a step back, what's keeping tmac from b****in his way out of houston? he wants to play for a contender, and he wants to win now. orlando landed the #1 spot in the draft. though it is a weak draft, having a frontcourt of okafor (if he plays the 5), gooden, howard would be rather formidable in the east. yet, he's still wanted out. i think if he doesn't get results in houston and does take a step back, given his history, he'll look to jump ship and piggyback his way to a ring.

 

The only way we would trade for T-Mac (tough enough as that would be) is if he signs an extension. Then he really wouldn't be able to b**** his way out. Not that he'd really want to.

I tell you, though. Grant Hill/Juwan Howard/#1 pick for Shaq? I could see that happening before we trade for T-Mac; but Kobe's trial will determine that.

I don't want to put all our eggs in one basket; there are more likely scenarios out there. We don't need to gut our team for one player. If Les steps up to go over the luxury tax threshold by signing a Brent Barry or whatever to make up for the probable loss in a T-Mac trade of Cuttino, fine. But I'd rather get an Elton Brand and/or Rashard, better forwards, and decent point guards.

I don't know if Tracy/Yao = Next Kobe/Shaq.

 

Loyalty is a two way street, if the Rockets are to sacrifice for Francis by passing up a deal for a top 5 or top 3 player, then Francis should compensate them by taking a 4 million pay cut. Heck, even without the McGrady factor his performance isn't very max-contract like.

Until then, loyalty is out of the door!

 

Then, Rockets should repay Francis 25 M more because of his four-year rookie contract (only 3 M a year).

 

Why should the Rockets repay Francis when nobody made sacrifice in the standard rookie contract? It's not like Francis could've gotten more elsewhere.

 

...sigh.

Les and CD need to do the right thing. Build it, and they will come.

 

To keep TMac, Orlando writer offers these deals:

http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/sportstoryS0602MAGIC.htm

Jun 1, 7:54 PM

Trade may attract top performers

Dealing for proven veteran just might satisfy McGrady's request for immediate help

BY JOHN DENTON
FLORIDA TODAY



ORLANDO -- The top overall pick in the NBA Draft has been traded just twice in the 19 years since the lottery was started to determine the draft order. Pat Williams, now the senior vice president of the Orlando Magic, was in the middle of both of those controversial moves.

In 1986, Williams was general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, and he made the final call on a trade that sent Brad Daugherty to Cleveland for Roy Hinson and $700,000. Good for Williams he was off to Orlando a day later to start up the expansion Magic because that trade proved to be disastrous for the Sixers.

"We had the best record in the NBA from 1976 to '86, we won an NBA championship and we made it to several finals," Williams joked, "and to this day the question I still get when I go back to Philadelphia is, 'What were you guys thinking with that trade?' "

Williams was with the Magic in 1993, the year Orlando sent the top overall pick (Chris Webber) to Golden State for the No. 3 pick (Penny Hardaway) and three future first-rounders. Williams said fans still argue with him that the Magic made the wrong move that night.

Orlando could be in that position again after winning last week's lottery and the rights to the No. 1 pick in the June 24 NBA Draft. With the Magic under orders from Tracy McGrady to get immediate help, the team will explore trading the pick and has already fielded several calls.

With no consensus No. 1 available -- not even UConn's Emeka Okafor -- talks of the Magic dealing it are sure to dominate. So FLORIDA TODAY has come up with 10 trades that might be had.

Salaries have to match up, so that eliminates most of the stars. And, for now at least, McGrady is off limits in the trade talks.

So here are 10 deals the Magic might want to consider:


The deal: Orlando's No. 1 pick to Memphis for center Pau Gasol.

Why it makes sense: Gasol has the skill set to be a star in this league. He's long, athletic and has a nice touch on his shot. The word around the NBA is that he could be had for the right price. In the Eastern Conference, he could play either center or power forward and thrive. Memphis needs another tough defender if it is ever going to make serious noise in the rugged Western Conference.

Why it doesn't make sense: Gasol is the Grizzlies' best player and not even the No. 1 pick might be enough to pry him away. Memphis was the surprise team of the NBA last season and Jerry West might not be ready to break up that mix just yet. As for Orlando, it must worry that Gasol is too often hesitant and unwilling to mix it up on the inside.


The deal: Orlando's No. 1 pick to Atlanta for the No. 6 pick and point guard Jason Terry.

Why it makes sense: Atlanta wants local product Dwight Howard to put fans in the stands and knows that if it does not jump ahead of the Clippers at No. 2 it will miss him. This deal would allow the Magic to fill their hole at the point with Terry, a guard who can score and distribute. Also, Orlando could use the No. 4 pick to select either UConn's Ben Gordon or a center/power forward here.

Why it doesn't make sense: Terry has had his issues with teammates in the past because he is too often a shoot-first, pass-second point guard. Also, Atlanta would have to be convinced that Howard is going to be a superstar to unload so much to get him.


The deal: Orlando's No. 1 pick to Charlotte for the No. 4 pick and best available big man unprotected in expansion draft.

Why it makes sense: Charlotte has reportedly already approached the Magic with this proposal because it would like to build its new franchise around UConn big man Okafor. No one knows for sure yet which players will be available in the expansion draft, which will be held June 22. But some of the possibilities include Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Elden Campbell, Stromile Swift, Kurt Thomas, Antonio Davis, Michael Olowokandi, Kelvin Cato, Dale Davis and Chris Mihm. And the Magic could use the fourth pick to select either Gordon or Peoria, Ill., prep star Shaun Livingston to play point guard.

Why it doesn't make sense: If those players are in the expansion draft, that means they were unwanted by their previous teams. Some have bad contracts, some are over the hill and some are just bad apples. Orlando could get a quick fix here and upgrade its size, but it wouldn't be a smart decision long term.


The deal: Orlando's No. 1 pick and Drew Gooden to Washington for the No. 5 pick and power forward Kwame Brown.

Why it makes sense: History says that it often takes players making the leap from high school to the NBA a couple of seasons before hitting stardom. Such was the case for Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O'Neal and McGrady. Brown has the athleticism to be a dominant post player, but has only shown flashes in Washington. Could he be on the verge of a breakout season? Getting him and the No. 5 pick (to select a point guard) might be enough to convince the Magic to jump on this trade.

Why it doesn't make sense: Gooden is almost as erratic as Brown, but he's proven more in the NBA. And while the Wizards certainly need help on the interior, they don't need two power forwards in Gooden and Okafor. As Magic fans know all too well, Gooden flopped this season when trying to play small forward.


The deal: Orlando's No. 1 pick and point guard Reece Gaines to Indiana for the No. 29 pick and power forward Al Harrington.

Why it makes sense: Harrington has been aching for years to get off the Indiana bench, but will never do so as long as Jermaine O'Neal is there. He could be a star given the right opportunity. He's tough, athletic and super confident. Okafor could do for the Pacers what Ben Wallace is doing for the Pistons. His arrival would take some of the pressure off O'Neal and he could be a shot-blocking demon from the weakside.

Why it doesn't make sense: Harrington is a bit of a tweener. Some GMs can't decide if he's better suited playing power forward or small forward. And he is much better on the offensive end than he is on the defensive end. And that's not good news for a Magic team that was dreadful defensively last season.


The deal: Orlando's No. 1 pick and Juwan Howard to Chicago for center Tyson Chandler and point guard Kirk Hinrich.

Why it makes sense: Chicago has grown tired of dealing with the Baby Bulls -- a.k.a. Eddy Curry and Chandler -- and would like to move one of them this summer. Howard would give the Bulls the professionalism that they lacked much of last season and Okafor could improve their shoddy defense. For the Magic, the trade would give them a shot-blocking center and a smooth point guard who is coming off a brilliant rookie season.

Why it doesn't make sense: Hinrich is likely untouchable in Chicago because of the promise he showed last season. And having Howard, Okafor and Curry might be too much of a logjam for the Bulls on the inside. As for the Magic, Chandler is a huge risk because he missed most of last season with a back injury. Also, he's been in the league two seasons and still has yet to develop many offensive skills.


The deal: Orlando's No. 1 pick, Drew Gooden and Reece Gaines to Portland for the No. 13 pick and center Theo Ratliff.

Why it makes sense: Ratliff is the best shot-blocker in the game and would make a major difference on a Magic team that finished last in the NBA in blocked shots last season. Also, Ratliff doesn't need the ball and wouldn't take shots away from McGrady. For Portland, landing a high-character player of Okafor's stature would help clean up the "Jail Blazers" moniker that has become all-too popular.

Why it doesn't make sense: Ratliff is 31 and on the downside of his career. He will make $10.9 million next season and he has been injury-prone. And he likely won't help you offensively as he is not much of a threat even from the low block.


The deal: Orlando's No. 1 pick to Sacramento for point guard Bobby Jackson.

Why it makes sense: New GM John Weisbrod feels the Magic are as much in need for a point guard as they are an interior player. Jackson has been one of the league's best spark plugs off the bench for years and yearns for a starting job. He could be a lethal combination with McGrady in the backcourt. As for Sacramento, it could use a serious injection of defense if it is ever going to advance in the Western Conference. Okafor would give the Kings a defensive-minded power forward in a conference loaded with power at that position.

Why it doesn't make sense: There is an unwritten rule in the NBA and it goes something like this: Don't ever trade a big player for a small one. Throw in the fact that Jackson was hurt most of last season and he prefers shooting to running a team and this trade probably won't happen.


The deal: Orlando's No. 1 pick and Drew Gooden to Golden State for the No. 11 pick and Nick Van Exel.

Why it makes sense: Golden State is about to lose center Erick Dampier in free agency and could use some help on the interior. They would get Gooden, a native of the Bay Area, and either Howard or Okafor. Orlando would fill its point guard hole with Van Exel, a veteran capable of taking some of the scoring load off McGrady's shoulders. And getting the No. 11 pick to boot would still allow the Magic to snag a big center.

Why it doesn't make sense: Van Exel is 33 and known throughout the NBA's as a divisive force in the locker room. And again, trading a big player for a point guard is a no-no in the NBA, not even for one known for hitting clutch shots as Van Exel has in the past. His massive contract would come off the salary cap books next summer, but it likely still wouldn't be enough of a factor to push this trade through.


The deal: Orlando's No. 1 and Reece Gaines to Denver for the No. 20 pick and point guard Andre Miller.

Why it makes sense: Miller rebounded with a solid season in Denver, averaging 14.8 points, 6.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds. But the Nuggets want to make a push at getting point guard Steve Nash in free agency this summer and might be willing to part with the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Miller. And getting Okafor would be insurance in case the Nuggets lose shot-blocker Marcus Camby in free agency.

Why it doesn't make sense: Miller is steady, but not a spectacular player. Whether he could play the up-tempo style that Johnny Davis wants is also a question mark. Also, Miller didn't respond well the last time he was traded, putting up career-worst numbers in 2002-03 when he was with the Clippers.

Contact Denton at jd41898@aol.com.

 

LOL, and any one of those deals are going to convince T-Mac to stay? The more and more I see this the more I am convinced he is going to leave. If he wants to seriously improve the team NONE of those deals are going to get it done. MAYBE the Chicago deal, but I doubt Chicago does it.

If that is the best Orlando can do in trading the #1 pick, then they are in A LOT of trouble if they want T-Mac to stay.

 

WOW, this looks like another "spin" article much like Feigen's! Damage control again if they DONT get McGrady. I love how these writers act like the teams arent desperate to get McGrady. They turn it around to make it sounds like McGrady is desperate to go there when in reality these teams would give up their left nut for him.

 

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider

Chat with Chad Ford at 1 p.m. ET today!


Ford's Mock Draft
Emeka Okafor may not be a franchise player, nor a savior on the court. But the Connecticut standout could very well be the guy who saves the Orlando Magic from self-destructing this summer.

Tracy McGrady's future in Orlando has never been more tenuous. After a tumultuous season in which McGrady openly questioned his desire to remain in Orlando, he had a heart to heart with new GM John Weisbrod. The rub was this: The Magic wanted to know, needed to know, whether T-Mac planned to exercise an opt-out clause in his contract at the end of the 2004-'05 season.

McGrady didn't have an answer. All he knew was that he wanted to win. He'd prefer to win in Orlando. But if the Magic didn't quickly get their act together, he'd take his ball elsewhere.

The task before the Magic was formidable. The team lost more games than anyone else in the league. They were capped out, thanks in large part to an injured Grant Hill sitting on the bench, wearing a cast and earning millions a month to hobble around on crutches. They had the best chance of winning the NBA draft lottery, 25 percent, but history indicated the team with the best shot almost never won.


Tracy McGrady may now have some incentive to stay in Orlando.
This year's draft is filled with talented players who could make an impact on a team in three or four years. The Magic need someone who can help them now. There isn't a team in the NBA that needs Okafor more than the Magic. After earning the No. 1 pick in the draft in Wednesday's lottery, the Magic might now have the ammunition to convince T-Mac they are back on track.

Okafor won't score 20 points a game his rookie season. He'll probably struggle to fill a highlight reel. But he could give the Magic something they desperately need -- a heart transplant. Okafor's toughness, determination, focus and ability to defend and block shots have been missing ingredients in Orlando for years.

If the Magic choose anyone other than Okafor in the June 24 draft, Weisbrod should go back to chasing hockey pucks.

With Okafor at center (yes, he'll be big enough to do that in the East), the Magic could focus on free agency. Centers don't come along for the mid-level exception, but point guards do. Adding Okafor would allow them to trim down the roster at power forward. Currently Juwan Howard and Drew Gooden both play the position. Perhaps they can package Gooden and a player like Pat Garrity for a veteran point, cap space or another first-round pick.

The point is that for the first time since they started falling apart, the Magic have hope. And hope equals a chance to convince T-Mac to stay around Orlando. The Magic didn't have that before Okafor bounced into their lap Wednesday night. In my book, that qualifies Okafor as a franchise savior.

Well ... almost. Now the Magic just have to hope Okafor's back is OK.

After their miserable experience with Hill -- and a McGrady recurring back injury -- the Magic understandably will be a wary of Okafor's back. If what Okafor and his agent, Jeff Schwartz, claim is true -- that Okafor's back is totally healed -- it won't be an issue. If problems arise, the Magic are in a difficult position. They can take Okafor anyway and hope he'll be OK. Or they can try to move a pick that no one will want.



This should add some more fuel to the fire

 

its getting to the point now where im just curious to see what happens.

 

This article doesn't even make mention of TMAC going to Houston as a possibility:


The Magic Report
By James Buell
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Jun 2, 2004, 12:01

This is the first installment in a seven part series on the future of the Orlando Magic. Check back daily for additional installments. Next week we’ll look at coach Johnny Davis.

Tracy McGrady
I was at lunch with my friend Will the other afternoon, discussing Orlando’s state of affairs. Of course, the conversation drifted towards Tracy McGrady. After a few minutes of talking about what went wrong last season, Will said something that changed my way of thinking.

“If the Magic lose McGrady…” he trailed off, “they’re really gonna suck.”

Normally, I would agree wholeheartedly. McGrady has embodied all that is the Orlando Magic for the past four seasons. He’s one of the league’s premier players and the team’s entire offense centers around him.

But then, I thought about it. How can the Magic suck more than the worst record in the NBA? How can anyone be worse than the worst?

It’s time to get real folks. Tracy McGrady has set his future’s course and it doesn’t involve the City Beautiful. McGrady is leaving Orlando. The question now, is when.

Management knows they’ll have as much leverage next offseason as they do now. Unless McGrady has dreams of playing for the Clippers or Hawks, he’ll be forced to work with the Magic. Cap strapped teams McGrady would likely choose to play for will be forced to acquiesce Orlando in a sign and trade, much like the Phoenix Suns did when they acquired Penny Hardaway.

Therefore, do they keep McGrady next season and try to showcase his restored talents to the rest of the league and/or pray for a minor miracle and a resigned McGrady? Or do they simply trade him now – coming off a season that displayed once unthinkable flaws in his game – and start the rebuilding process in earnest?

Here’s a look at each scenario.

Keep McGrady– Right now, this seems to be what the Magic have in mind. Frankly, I don’t blame them.

The problem with keeping McGrady is the fear of mediocrity. A healthy and focused McGrady could lead Orlando to the 7th or 8th seed of the playoffs, but – without help – not much else. That would give Orlando the 16th or 17th pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. Chances are good he’ll be focused next season. Especially if he has his sights set on greener pastures.

Despite their best efforts – on paper – Orlando’s roster won’t be much improved next season.

The 2004 Draft is not one filled with much promise. Even projected top pick, Emeka Okafor, is not viewed as a “can’t miss” prospect. And trading the pick for a proven veteran would be a mistake given Orlando’s talent starved circumstances.

Free agents will be wary to sign with the Magic. No one wants to come here knowing McGrady could be gone at anytime. Even if the Magic do land a top tier free agent, there are no guarantees it will work out. See Juwan Howard.

The task presented to Johnny Davis is one few coaches in the league would be willing to accept: Win with nothing.

Outside of McGrady, Orlando’s roster is almost completely void of talent. Tyronn Lue has openly admitted he’s better suited for the bench. DeShawn Stevenson showed Magic fans – when given a chance – he can’t produce. And Grant Hill hasn’t played a meaningful season of basketball since Bill Clinton was still in office.

It’s really scary to think the core of this disastrous season could return intact. Orlando will have to rely on an improved Keith Bogans, a rejuvenated Drew Gooden, the continual professional approach of Howard and expected contributions from last year’s top pick, Reece Gaines, as well as whoever the Magic choose in June.

Translated: It all rests of McGrady’s fragile shoulders. Will he accept the same perpetual challenge year after year? I doubt it.

Trade McGrady– It hurts me just to type those words, but it’s time to face facts. McGrady is a very good player. He hasn’t yet become a great one. His talent puts him in the upper echelon of the league’s elite, but it hasn’t translated into playoff success here in Orlando.

The Detroit Pistons – remember - had an equally talented player named Grant Hill a few seasons back. They shipped him off to Orlando for an unheralded player named Ben Wallace and a scrappy point guard named Chucky Atkins. Good cap management and a few years later, they’re in the NBA Finals.

The problem isn’t trading McGrady or the potential players returned in such a deal. It’s the organization developing them.

The Magic could survive the loss of McGrady if they had any idea what they were doing. Recent drafts and free agent losses/acquisitions prove otherwise.

If you see John Gabriel on the street, ask him to answer this question honestly: Did the Magic want McGrady or did they just end up with him?

In the summer of 2000, Orlando wanted Tim Duncan and Grant Hill – in that order. McGrady was an afterthought; a mere consolation prize. The powers-that-be at One Magic Place had no clue what a talent McGrady would turn out to be. And if Grant Hill’s ankle hadn’t turned out to be as lame as a Britton Johnsen lob pass, McGrady probably never would have been giving the chance to develop into the player he is today.

Trading McGrady will not net equal talent. Trading superstars rarely does. Unless the Magic figure out a way to coax Kobe Bryant to call Central Florida home, Orlando will have to take back millions of dollars in unwanted salary just to land a promising young talent who may or may not pan out.

The most intriguing trade rumors I’ve heard come courtesy of Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. His scenarios are as follows:

• Detroit trades Richard Hamilton, Corliss Williamson and Darko Milicic for McGrady and Reece Gaines.

• Indiana trades Al Harrington, Jonathan Bender and Fred Jones for McGrady.

If the Detroit trade is a possibility, pull the trigger. Hamilton is the best in-between shooter in the league. Williamson is a proven veteran who would be given the chance to contribute in Orlando. And Millicic is the 2nd pick of last year’s draft, which included LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

The best part of this trade is Orlando can say goodbye to Reece Gaines. It would allow them to start fresh with cap flexibility (after Williamson and possibly Hill’s contracts are gone), young talent (Millicic and this year’s No. 1), and a new look on offense. No longer would the team rely strictly on one player. Hamilton would couple with Howard and – hopefully – Hill to form the nucleus of a group that plays as a team. That’s something that was missing with the Magic last season.

A trade scenario I’m partial to is sending McGrady to Utah this summer for Andrei Kirilenko and two of Utah’s first round draft picks. That would enable the Magic to fill the void left at small forward with a capable replacement as well as let them take a shot on foreign or high school talent in the draft while still selecting the “safe pick” at No. 1.

Utah would pair a healthy Matt Harpring with McGrady and gain leverage next summer when he opts out of his contract. Although Kirilenko is a fine player, he is not the same caliber of player as McGrady and Utah needs to upgrade its roster if they plan on making the playoffs out West.

Best-Case – The best-case scenario – of course – would be for the Magic to rebound from their most disappointing season in franchise history and secure home court in the first round of the playoffs with a division title in the newly aligned Eastern Conference. All with McGrady and Emeka Okafor on board, of course. Who really thinks that’s going to happen though? And if you do think that, are you taking any prescription drugs?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

yea...hoopsworld = crap in many of our opinions on clutchfans. he's as credible as peter vescey

 

First, that's a Hoopsworld article.

Second, I like that Tracy himself mentioned us as his first choice...means a lot more than any editorial article.

 

i dont get it how they can say send him to utah.

utah is not going to trade that for a player that doesnt want to resign with them.

i could put forth minimal effort and make up better crap then that.

geez.

 

MCGRADY WILL NOT BE A ROCKET

JVG like certain types if players, Mcgrady doesn't fit that quota. Don't forget who quit on his team last season and his casual approach to working out and practice won't help either.

But what is for sure is Steve won't be a Rocket next season, the rockets/majic just thinking about a sign and trade to swap players shows the Franics will be on his way out this summer.


P.S.

Its not Steves fault that Yao is not ready yet, he still needs some more time.........hope he doesn't have to pay more than he already has with an exit out of town.

 

But Steve has not improved much since his rook season and that is his fault.

 

Anyone that doesnt want TMAC because he doesnt play defense forgets what JVG can do with a player who doesnt want to play defense. See: Francis, Steve. But then again it also does wonders to that players offense...

 

If McGrady's not your type...and I don't believe that to be the case...change your type.