http://www.newsday.com/columnists/alan-hahn/hahn-mcgrady-can-be-had-but-it-ll-cost-knicks-1.1615327 Quote: By ALAN HAHN Nov 21, 2009 The Houston Rockets are in no rush to get seven-time all-star Tracy McGrady back on the court, which is telling for a blue-collar team that is grinding it out right now for coach Rick Adelman. There's actually nothing more to tell. The Rockets believe they're better off without him. Adelman has the Rockets competing at an admirable level every night even without Yao Ming (out for the season with an ankle injury). More importantly, Adelman finally has the locker room under control with Ron Artest off to the Lakers and McGrady, who subscribes to the Allen Iverson theory on practice, mostly persona non grata among the players while he recovers from a knee injury. And the Rockets want to keep it that way. Enter the Knicks. They weren't prepared to deal with the baggage that Iverson brings with him, but as Donnie Walsh continues to search for ways to upgrade this season's team - which might barely eclipse 20 wins as currently constituted - catering to McGrady's diva-esque personality might be a lesser evil. Multiple sources say the Knicks - who are owned by Cablevision, which also owns Newsday - have tried since the summer to engage the Rockets in trade talks for McGrady but have been unsuccessful. However, an opportunity could present itself after the latest episode - a reported spat with Adelman about McGrady's return schedule - that reportedly even has infuriated Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, who used to be one of McGrady's staunchest supporters. What would it take? The Rockets would love to get a high-end young player for McGrady and also save some money, which suggests they also would look for an expiring contract or two. It will take more than one to make up McGrady's league-high $23.2-million salary this season. The Knicks could offer Eddy Curry, who could make up for the loss of Yao and has only one more year left on his contract after this season; add an expiring contract such as Chris Duhon, Al Harrington or Larry Hughes, and toss in someone such as Wilson Chandler as a sweetener. The Knicks might have to consider using the contract of retired guard Cuttino Mobley, however, if they really want to pique the interest of Alexander and general manager Daryl Morey. Mobley is on the books for $9.5 million this season, but 80 percent is being paid by insurance because of his medical retirement. The NBA in the coming weeks will review and officially declare Mobley retired for medical reasons after the one-year anniversary of the discovery of the increased severity of his heart condition. The Knicks planned to waive Mobley, which would wipe his salary off the cap. For the Rockets, who are a few million over the luxury-tax threshold, this could be a valuable savings. Alexander has never hesitated to spend for a playoff team, but it might be asking this group - as gritty as it is - to be among the top eight in April. In Mike D'Antoni's system, the 6-8 McGrady could play as a big point guard. Like Iverson, he would come with a separate set of rules, but unlike Iverson, McGrady rarely is a problem off the court. Most of all, he would be a free agent next summer, and at 30 years old, he's on a mission to get another long-term deal. The main concern, of course, is that he's healthy enough to be effective.
I used to be totally against the Knicks as a trading partner, but they are looking better by the day. DD
Every time I think about possible trade scenarios, it always comes back to dealing with the Knicks. Then I realize that they have nothing of value. Then the depression hits.
A non protected 1st round pick would be very nice...as a throw in...Mobley's contract saves a lot of $$$$......but Curry, Yuck....however, he does expire next year....and Morey may look at that expiring contract as a chip....who knows? DD
Okay..give us Curry + 1st rd draft pick next year...but oh, Jazz already owns it..trade rejected. :grin:
If they still had there pick this year, we would take Currys contract. btw, give us Gallinari and maybe we talk
I wouldnt mind taking back Curry if we got a future 1st and there was a third team involved where we actually get young stud, but the Knicks just don't have anything we need...at all. That team is just so poorly constructed it is mind boggling.
I'd take the Knicks expirings plus a young player Morey may like. NY may only have trash, but at least they're mostly expiring trash. And they have some young trash that Adelman may turn into something. But I'm sure the reason Morey's rejecting Knicks offers is because they're offering Curry. Morey's not touching Curry with a ten foot pole.
Why can't we trade with some other team instead? I don't trust players from the Knicks. It's not that they're untalented, but they all lack discipline. Getting players from there will only create more drama.
Now we know why the Knicks have been playing Eddy Curry more and deploying the propaganda machine (ESPN and Worldwide Wes no less) to talk about how much Curry has worked himself back into playing form and how he thinks he's going to be a star still. I bet Knicks fans message boards are even drinking Walsh's milkshake. "Eddy Curry expects return to greatness" threads, anyone? Sorry, you can wash and wax and shine that lemon till it's squeaky clean if you want, but Morey ain't going to take your piece of junk.
a few of my friends are avid warrior fans. they would LOVE an ellis + maggettee for tmac trade. ellis wants out. and no one likes corey. but i think that's a bad fit for us b/c we need bigs, not smalls.
David Lee is a nice player, but when you already have 3 above average PF, what are you going to do with him.
