McGrady To Houston Thread (Update: Francis will visit Orlando)

If this is an attempt to squeeze the Rockets, I say screw 'em.

Trade Steve to someone else, and rebuild this team around Yao... he, not Steve, is the future.

 

To get this trade done would you deal a first round pick conditional within the next 5 years?

Take the guys bluff and move on?

 

This thread not has over 2000 replies and over 10,000 views!

 

*now has

 

over 10,000?

i think we've already screwed overselves over enough by giving our first round picks away .

 

I would do it. If he squeezes out a 1st rounder from me then so be it. But I want McGrady on this team so we can start building with the McGrady/Yao tandem. Just put some conditions/protections on the 1st rounder.

 

I guess we're bad poker players because I'm ready to fold just to get this deal done.

I think the general sentiment is get the deal done. Hopefully Carol knows what he's doing and plays the game the best way he can, with the result being McGrady is a Rocket.

 

If I have to fold now to get a new hand of two Aces (Yao, McGrady) then I do it.

 

Then hold it. Wait until Francis BYC is over. Magic will have to either drop Cato or add other pieces to match Cato's contract. Hopefully, not Hill's contract.

 

Fox Sports just said tune in for the latest from Steve and his agent coming up next. Should be intresting to see what he says unless they just repeat what we all know.

 

Do you have a picture of this momentus occasion? What proof do you have?

JK

 

IF the trade does not happen because the gm backs out and steve does go to orlando and checks the place out and all, can the rockets appeal to the league or anything about this? Does the league have any executive power to force a trade like this where one team did everything cept sign the dotted line then back out?

 

latest article but its just a rehash:
article

weaselboy...

weaselboy continued...

 

I would think that the Rockets would have some recourse with the league if they backed out assuming they didn't give any permission formally.

Bottom line is no matter what Wisebrod says, there is no WAY Francis goes to Orlando tomorrow if there wasn't a deal in the works and it was as good as done. I mean, if Orlando screws Francis TOO, there will be hell to pay from all over the league.

 

From the SAME STORY...

So, which is it???

The story said those teams are Indy, Phoenix, Houston and Miami. Ok, let's just break this down...

Phoenix will NOT offer Joe Johnson or Amare Stoudamire and no longer have a high draft pick to offer. There have even been reports from the Arizona Republic saying they are out of the running and are saving their money to take a run at Steve Nash and possibly Kobe.

Larry Bird has said that Indiana is a fallback position for the deal and has said publically that they'll get involved IF the deal with Houston falls through.

Miami is reportedly offering a combination of Caron Butler, Eddie Jones and Brian Grant. Not only are the Magic not interested in being saddled with those gigantic contracts (Grant and Jones), but they can likely get Butler for Mobley and Gooden if the Rockets trade goes through, which seems FAR more likely.

Most importantly, it has been reported that McGrady has said he'll only sign a long-term deal in Houston. Bird says Indy is a "second choice" but no one but Bird has said that. Also, it was reported that Phoenix withdrew because McGrady let them know he wouldn't sign there. It is also thought he has no interest in Miami.

So, to sum up...

Phoenix is out. Miami doesn't have a package worth offering (except the deal for Mobley and Gooden). Indy is a fallback just in case.

Yet, four teams are still in "the hunt." Sure they are, Johnny. Sure they are.

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A13408-2004Jun28.html

Francis Accepts Trade for McGrady


By Greg Sandoval
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 29, 2004; Page D01

The prospect of playing alongside high school star Dwight Howard and an easier road to the playoffs were enough to persuade Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis to drop his objections to a trade that would send him to the Orlando Magic for NBA leading scorer Tracy McGrady, according to his agent.


The Magic is expected to announce the trade, which was held up a week after Francis balked at playing for the last-place team, on Wednesday, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. Francis, a three-time all-star, is flying to Orlando today to meet with the Magic's management, including President John Weisbrod, the man who persuaded Francis to move to Orlando.

Under the terms of the trade, the Magic will send guard McGrady, forward Juwan Howard and guard Tyronn Lue to the Rockets for Francis, guard Cuttino Mobley and center Kelvin Cato, said the source.

Upon hearing news of the pending trade, Francis initially said he disliked the idea of playing for a team that was rebuilding. His representatives began making inquiries about which teams would be interested in swapping for Francis in the event he was traded to the Magic.

But in a Thursday-night phone conversation, Weisbrod sold Francis on the team's draft acquisitions, playoff chances and appreciation of his talents, according to Jeff Fried, Francis's agent.

"They could have got anyone for Tracy McGrady," Fried said. "That impressed Steve about how highly the Magic thought of him."

McGrady finished this past season with a 28-point scoring average, tops in the NBA, and Francis averaged 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.2 assists to join Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson and Grant Hill as the only players in NBA history to average at least 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in each of their first five seasons.

Francis, an all-American at the University of Maryland, also was impressed with the players Orlando has obtained since the end of last season.

The Magic chose Atlanta high school sensation Howard, a 6-11 power forward, with the first pick in the draft. Scouts say Howard, a skilled scorer, shot blocker and rebounder, has the talent to become an NBA star.

The Magic also obtained St Joseph's guard Jameer Nelson, the NCAA's player of the year last season, from the Denver Nuggets.

The addition of Francis, Howard and Nelson could help the team compete in the realigned NBA next season. The Magic will be in the same division, what many predict will be the league's weakest, with the Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks and expansion Charlotte Bobcats.

Of the five teams, only the Heat made the playoffs last season.

 

Where is the Wisebrod denial? I mean, this is ONLY the Washington Post.

 

so, is that OFFICIAL?

 

LOL, only the most respected paper in the nation.



DD

 

I certaintly hope so.