http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/nba/12/22/roundtable/index.html Tracy McGradyhas been easing back into action for the Rockets over the last week. Do you expect him to finish out the season in Houston? Thomsen:I'm thinking he'll be dealt by the February deadline, but then again, the Rockets won't fire-sale him. If they can't negotiate good value in return, then they can keep him all year in order to sign-and-trade him over the summer. The easiest way to rate McGrady's chances of moving is to see how well he plays over the next two months. For now, I'm guessing they'll be able to deal him. McCallumid we ever think we'd reach the point when McGrady might get more playing time because of an injury toChase Budinger? It's a curious thing going on in Houston, putting a (supposed) superstar on limited minutes for a kind of semi-showcase. All things considered, there is no way that T-Mac stays in Houston. The clock has run out. Somebody will make an offer (my guess would be Chicago), and the Rockets will be eager to make the deal if they get good replacement parts. Mannix:It's somewhat of a misconception that the Rockets don't want McGrady in the lineup. A healthy and motivated T-Mac is an ideal fit for RickAdelman's offense. The problem is McGrady is rarely healthy and only occasionally motivated. With the richest salary in the NBA this season, and with teams willing to do just about anything to clear cap space for this summer, and with the Rockets preferring to be active in the trade market rather than get into a bidding war for free agents this offseason, I'm having a hard time envisioning McGrady in a Houston jersey in March. (I go along with the Chicago statement as it seems a natural trading duo to me for many reasons: Miller/Deng - McG. I'd do it if I were either team.)
Next season Chicago are less than $1M away from having the cap space to offer Wade a max contract. Deng is also their best trade chip for S&T. This trade deadline is going to be a dud for teams hoping others will salary dump. It's better to hold on until draft night or free agency. Look at Petrie he didn't get his first round pick for Artest, waited the next season and got two out of Morey.
I wouldn't mind Deng, however one problem I do have with his game is he doesn't spread the floor enough. He's a great mid-range shooter, solid rebounder and scorer in general. However, he can't really shoot the 3 ball like a....Kirk Hinrich. I wouldn't want Brad Miller, he's just the epitome of soft, but if that's the only way we send Mcgrady out and Deng in, Count me in.
What is this sudden obsession with Deng and...and...Brad Miller?!? Give us Tyrus/Salmons or deal is off.
You would rather have the 3rd lowest IQd player in the NBA then a adequate big man with passing and shooting abilities?
It is nice to see a member of the national media FINALLY realize what the Houston Rockets' front office is actually trying to do. I think he hit the nail on the head here. This has been Morey's plan all along. I doubt the Bulls would use their best (and highest paid) player in a S&T. Teams rarely/never do that. What would be the point of Wade coming to the Bulls for Deng in a S&T when he could just ask the Bulls to shed an extra $1M elsewhere so that Wade could play WITH Deng? While I agree that some teams may opt to hold onto players until next year's draft in order to get better value for them (see Battier, Shane . . . maybe), I think the desperation will set in during this season for many NBA team owners, who will then pressure management to dump salary ASAP. As for the Ron Artest example, I think Petrie was shooting for a late lottery (or at least mid-first round) pick for Artest. He ended up getting the #28 pick (Greene) and what turned out to be the #23 pick (Casspi). Despite what those players go on to do in the NBA, the value of the picks themselves was probably less than what Petrie was looking for initially.
I used to be a huge Brad Miller but from what I've heard his age is showing big time but I believe he is an expiring deal so not all bad. Honestly I'd consider starting with TMAC+Cook for L. Deng, Ty Thomas and J. James then see where it leads.
I've always liked Deng's game, though I haven't watched him all that closely since early in his career. He seems like he'd be an ideal fit as a 2nd/3rd scoring option to pair with Yao next year, and he's not a "superstar" so we wouldn't have to worry too much about chemistry changing. Brad Miller could fill in this year and maybe re-sign for cheap to backup Yao (and maybe fill in while Yao works his way back next year). That's probably the most plausible trade scenario I've heard to date involving Mcgrady. Here's to hoping the Bulls continue to fall!
If Miami agrees to S&T Wade they will want something back and Chicago may be in a position where they're competing whith another team for that S&T.
Luol Deng's salary for next few years: $10,370,425 $11,355,850 $12,341,275 $13,326,700 $14,312,125 When healthy, Deng is extremely good, but is he this good? I actually think Chicago might be willing to unload his contract, but would we want to take this type of player back with that salary? If we were to do this, we would most likely be able to retain most of our current players at the end of the year, but no more add ons..... So the question would then be would Yao + Deng + our current roster be a championship team? Its tough to say.... I didnt know how good Deng was until I just checked his game log, he's had some monster games......In the end I think his salary is still beyond his ability, not to mention we already have that position filled (Ariza), but if I was Morey and was offered Deng + Miller for TMAC, I'd still be very tempted....
Better Chicago than Clips, who just might be 'able' to or any other West team (not named Rox, of course).
