• November 23, 2009 10:00 am  |  82 Comments

    Knicks After T-Mac?


    There’s chatter in New York that the Knicks are interested in the chronically injured McGrady: “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.”

    • Add a Comment
      • Digg
      • del.icio.us
      • Facebook
      • Google
      • StumbleUpon
      • TwitThis
      • Yahoo! Buzz
      • Print this article!
    • RSS

    Tags: , ,

    • niQ Posted: Nov.23 at 10:03 am
      He should join Phoenix, then maybe he’ll be revitalized like Grant Hill.

    • riggs Posted: Nov.23 at 10:06 am
      why in the HELL would we try to get allan houston 2.0?

    • Bryan Posted: Nov.23 at 10:12 am
      This is one that russ and I actually agreed on.

    • tavoris Posted: Nov.23 at 10:14 am
      hmmmmm, while this makes sense from a basketball standpoint, it doesn’t considering they just passed on another scorer (who’s healthier) that would get about 22 mil less this season.

    • 360vue Posted: Nov.23 at 10:15 am
      I heard the discontent of TMac was all just media nonsense. Still, Knicks won’t go for a cheap AI but they’ll pay a retarded sum for a diminished Tmac? Considering they suck already and neither are going to worsen things, that business logic just pretty much sums up Knicks organization…

    • 360vue Posted: Nov.23 at 10:16 am
      lol tavoris, you beat me too that point. I second you

    • Bryan Posted: Nov.23 at 10:19 am
      Mcgrady at 80% brings more to the table than iverson does. He’s a better defender and SLIGHTLY less selfish. This really has no downside.

    • Bryan Posted: Nov.23 at 10:20 am
      Jordan Hill, Eddy Curry and Hughes for Mac and Budinger make it happen Walsh.

    • underdog Posted: Nov.23 at 10:21 am
      I’d give up Larry Hughes for T-Mac, but no “high-end young player” - if the Knicks have any, with the exception of David Lee.

    • Simon S.Y Lawy Posted: Nov.23 at 10:25 am
      Knicks front office are out of their mind.

    • 360vue Posted: Nov.23 at 10:29 am
      Yeh Bryan, I don’t disagree with you, but when your potentially paying over 40 times more for one than the other, that stuff just does not make ANY sense.

    • tavoris Posted: Nov.23 at 10:33 am
      Bryan, the Rockets would be foolish to give up Budinger.

    • NZA Posted: Nov.23 at 10:42 am
      I like the point about passing on a bargain AI. Yea let’s trade players for T-Mac and pay him a rediculous sum rather than keep our players and get Iverson for cheap. Wow. It’s at the point now where you would have to be foolish to come play here as a big-name free agent.

    • neaorin Posted: Nov.23 at 11:06 am
      Donnie’s Diary, Nov. 23rd: “Called D.Morey, offered him Hill, Eddy Curry and Larry Bricks for TMac and Budinger. He hung up. Why are some people so rude?”

    • Jeronimo Posted: Nov.23 at 11:27 am
      Eff all the rumors about the Knicks.

    • NUPE Posted: Nov.23 at 11:41 am
      It could be a debate between who’s better and less ‘risky’ between AI and T-Mac. But when you look at the difference in value/cost, there is no way I can see how the Knicks can justify this. I like T-Macs game, but considering what he brings compared to the cost, I’d much rather have AI. Taking T-Mac at his current salary is like buying a used car with a history of problems for a brand new car price. Comparatively, considering his history (good and bad), is available for a bargain of a price.

    • tavoris Posted: Nov.23 at 11:49 am
      Nupe, T-Mac misses 20 or so games a year. Anything more than mid-level exception is a HUGE overpayment, regardless of his considerable abilities.

    • NUPE Posted: Nov.23 at 12:04 pm
      tavoris, I agree 100%. If the knicks pick him up this would be a huge overpayment. AI comparatively would be a much better value.

    • ball4life Posted: Nov.23 at 12:08 pm
      NUPE. Shut the hell up! U HOMO

    • oddball Posted: Nov.23 at 12:09 pm
      I rather have iverson. At least he loves the game.

    • ball4life Posted: Nov.23 at 12:10 pm
      If Lebron, Wade and T.Mac went to N.Y they would be filthy.

    • TADOne Posted: Nov.23 at 12:12 pm
      I think TMac has one more great come back left in him. I mean, he is 31 right? If he makes it back healthy, I can see him playing until 35,36. Besides, his contract expires at the end of the year so the Knicks may as well take the chance.

    • MikeC. Posted: Nov.23 at 12:21 pm
      If Walsh can move anybody not named David Lee in this deal, who really cares? McGrady has a contract that expires at the end of the season. If he comes to NY and plays well, maybe he re-signs on the cheap. If he comes to NY and his leg falls off, then there’s no commitment past this season. How is that different than 90% of NY’s roster right now? Give ‘er.

    • Seth Posted: Nov.23 at 12:42 pm
      The only high end young guys I can imagine Houston wanting are Gallinari and Chandler, but I have a hard time believing NY will give up Gallinari.

    • Bryan Posted: Nov.23 at 1:29 pm
      Who cares how much you’re paying him? He’s off the books at the end of the year. And if he plays well and likes the situation maybe he takes a pay cut and stays while lobbying for lebron or wade. Prefereably wade.

    • tavoris Posted: Nov.23 at 1:43 pm
      Bryan, that 23 mil luxury tax ain’t no joke…even for the Knicks.

    • rog123 Posted: Nov.23 at 1:46 pm
      Iverson is a scorer. Tmac is a versitle scorer and defender, who still cares about winning. Winning is ai’s 2nd priority behind starting. I would take a 50-60 game tmac for a 82 game iverson definately! Unless ai ever realizes he is now a 6 man

    • 360vue Posted: Nov.23 at 1:52 pm
      @TADOne, dude no way! Take the chance on TMac? Yeah, for his game, no doubt… but realistically, aside from rebounds and not being a potential chemistry problem (which Knicks dont have anyway), TMac isnt going to offer anything more than AI. Both can put up same scoring lines, same dishes, same steals, same blocks. So basically, take the veteran pay that AI would most likely have accepted (Dude is already wealthy and just wants to start, preferably at a contender but even he knows thats not happening barring a string of injuries), you are paying well over FORTY TIMES more for the same stats both for the same duration (ONE year) Plus, no insult to Tmac, but AI would pay for himself and then SOME if he moved, NY would ship 10,000s of jerseys. The whole AI would disrupt them is nonsense, they have a minute amount of chemistry and aside from Harrington they don’t have a consistent scorer… and Duhon can’t run a team anyway, he can pass but that alone a point guard does not make.

    • tavoris Posted: Nov.23 at 1:57 pm
      rog123 is talking out his axx. Keep in mind that T-Mac has never played beyond the first round of the playoffs. And the T-Mac you know and love had microfracture surgery without even consulting the team that’s paying him 23 mil to sit on his arse.

    • acethat Posted: Nov.23 at 2:00 pm
      They should had pick up inverson..then trade for T-mac..I wish it would be that easy..2K10 anyone???

    • 10zzy Posted: Nov.23 at 2:03 pm
      I live in CT. Practically Rhode Island. If the Knicks get Tmac, they can sign me up for 10 ticket easy. I would make that trip 3 hours. I would not pay to see AI play (got TV for that - Pass the ball! I don’t care how bad your team mates are).

    • OneSun Posted: Nov.23 at 2:04 pm
      TadOne: If by ‘great’ you mean crying off through injury and never getting out of the first round of the playoffs, then yes, I can’t wait for his great comeback.

    • nbk Posted: Nov.23 at 2:11 pm
      you people are ignorant if you think adding Tmac or Iverson or anyone for NY in 2009 is about winning

    • j4zzm4n Posted: Nov.23 at 2:53 pm
      t-mac to knicks will give them marginally more wins. but hey it’s all about filling seats right ? oh and lest i forget jersey sales. orlando t-mac how i miss thee and those t-mac 3s my those were sweet to go with how good he was. this organisation lacks sense how the hell is this front office still in business?

    • TADOne Posted: Nov.23 at 2:58 pm
      You guys are too funny. McGrady has shown to be a top player in the league when healthy. I understand all of the injuries have robbed people of their memories of when he was a top-5 player, but please understand the whole scenario. The Knicks have literally 9 contracts totalling more than $60 million coming off the books for 2010. They have 5 players that will be under contract for next season. Trade away stiffs like Larry Hughes and Eddy Curry and see if Houston will bite. Why not? Worst case scenario is that TMac is reinvigorated playing in NYC and resigns for a cheap 1 or 2 year deal that will also help with attracting the big names the Knicks obviously covet. Great players love playing with other great players and when healthy TMac is a great player.

    • SHERLOCK FOAMS Posted: Nov.23 at 3:04 pm
      1) If it’s reported in NY before it happens, it’s NOT happening… That’s a rule of thumb with NY media and the Knicks. 2) If the Knicks were to make a deal for McGrady, it would strictly be about money. The Knicks want to trade Curry & Jared Jefferies so that they can sign more than one top free agent next summer.

    • O Posted: Nov.23 at 3:12 pm
      The Knicks are gonna be wack for the next few years. Least by 2012 when we’ll all be put out of our misery.

    • Bryan Posted: Nov.23 at 3:13 pm
      Cosign tad. The rockets need a center also so curry makes sense. Anyone who thinks there is a downside to this may need to learn more about basketball. A: the knicks are already a circus so it can’t get worse from a pr standpoint and B: they need a player to score, if Al Harrington is your option A you’re in trouble I don’t give a f*ck how many 30 point games he has. And anyone who thinks Lebron or wade is coming to town to make Gallo or Chandler or toney douglas his wingman is sorely mistaken not even Bill Russell could make these guys winners.

    • Bryan Posted: Nov.23 at 3:13 pm
      Cosign tad. The rockets need a center also so curry makes sense. Anyone who thinks there is a downside to this may need to learn more about basketball. A: the knicks are already a circus so it can’t get worse from a pr standpoint and B: they need a player to score, if Al Harrington is your option A you’re in trouble I don’t give a f*ck how many 30 point games he has. And anyone who thinks Lebron or wade is coming to town to make Gallo or Chandler or toney douglas his wingman is sorely mistaken not even Bill Russell could make these guys winners.

    • Harlem_World Posted: Nov.23 at 3:39 pm
      Much as Mac has been injured, chances are we won’t get anything out of him, but we STILL need to do this deal. His contract is done end of this year and in the small chance he CAN get even semi-healthy, he would be a major upgrade on anything on the roster right now and could be a 2nd or 3rd string to 2 of the top free agents next summer. We’ve fallen so far off the map of relevancy I worry that any association or reference to the dominant knick years and genuine NYC pride and expectancy are going to be looked on with confusion and laughter by the present and next generation. Alot of kids can’t relate to what we once were. WE HAD A CULTURE OF WINNING IN NYC NOT SO LONG AGO…WE NEED TO GET IT BACK BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY. NY STAND UP!

    • Hoodsnake Posted: Nov.23 at 3:44 pm
      He will be a great fit in NY! Away from the apples and oranges talk of him and cancer Iverson , yes he will come off the books and of course take a paycut cos im darn sure he wants to win badly. Duno if anybody is gonna be willing to bite for a Curry trade considering his big, fat , um, contract

    • Kyle Posted: Nov.23 at 5:38 pm
      McGrady just turned 30, and if he gets the right conditioning from a team(Suns) he could get healthy again. People forget how he killed himself when Yao went down against the Utah Jazz(they were stacked, had 4 bench players who would have started for the Rockets.) Iverson skipped practices about half the time… and eventually had Roger Clemens/Barry Bonds rules basically. He basically didn’t have to go to practice. Now people hate McGrady in Houston, because of some made up lies that he talked poorly about Yao(never happened.) The media are as@holes.

    • Allenp Posted: Nov.23 at 5:52 pm
      Iverson is a cancer and McGrady isn’t?
      Either the media has secretly installed the brainswashing machines, are some of y’all just don’t like Iverson no matter what.
      Probably a little of both.

    • Bryan Posted: Nov.23 at 6:12 pm
      Iverson is not a cancer to the right team. All players can be toxic on losing teams. Do you really think if Lebron came off the bench behind Rudy Gay he wouldn’t be talking sh*t? Its the same situation so don’t front ?Rudy is good lebron is great , conley is awful Iverson is very good same difference. Look at how shaq acted when he didn’t get the extension he wanted in La? Or how Jordan used to punch out teamtes. Gtfoh.

    • Duncan21 Posted: Nov.23 at 6:16 pm
      I’d give Tmac a chance. I bet he wants to redeem himself to the public for all the money he’s making cuz im sure dude aint a bad guy. I think the Rockets should let him play. I dunno whats Adelman’s problem with him

    • Hawkules Posted: Nov.23 at 6:28 pm
      And tell me, who that’s playing that the Knicks are NOT trying to get? May next year Knick fans…maybe next year.

    • tavoris Posted: Nov.23 at 6:29 pm
      Adelman’s problem is the same problem the whole Rocket’s organization has with TMac: They aren’t being kept abreast of his rehab. TMac is going to media to announce ‘ish he hasn’t told his employer-the ones that are paying him 23 mil this year to rehab from a surgery they didn’t approve of. I can’t knock T-Mac for taking care of his body, but it’s be ludicrous to expect Houston to allow him to undermine the organization’s leadership.

    • Taluaris Posted: Nov.23 at 6:35 pm
      knicks tryin 2 get everybody

    • Yesse Posted: Nov.23 at 6:43 pm
      I dont think that’s a good idea.I would like to see T-Mac play for the Rockets before trading him.

    • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Nov.23 at 6:48 pm
      As a Rockets fan and a Knicks fan, I would just prefer it if the Rockets let McGrady play before deciding, and that the Knicks signed Iverson. I really don’t know what to make of this situation.
      What really astounds me is how the Knicks prefer LARRY HUGHES to Allen Iverson. Are they joking or are they joking?

    • tavoris Posted: Nov.23 at 7:12 pm
      I think they were a little too hot too soon. They’ll be callin Iverson in a few weeks

    • Rusty Posted: Nov.23 at 7:45 pm
      Free TMAC

    • Quinn Posted: Nov.23 at 8:30 pm
      What I can’t understand all y’all talk about Tmac vs AI nonsense don’t any of y’all get it. . . If the knicks trade Hughes, hill and especially curry that relieves another 10+ million off the books this year. . Tmac’s contract ends this year curry has a player option which you know he will exercise so if you trade him it puts the knicks with a decent talent (Grady) for the rest of this year and gets rid of curry for the 2010 sweepstakes. . If the knicks pull it off then Walsh has close 40 mil to sign whoever and the only guy he stuck with is jefferies so I say heck yea with tmac move curry and bring the big names for 2010

    • J Posted: Nov.23 at 10:21 pm
      why not sign the suns gorilla?

    • Shem Posted: Nov.23 at 10:26 pm
      This is a terrible move for the knicks, but id love to see tmac in NY

    • MikeC. Posted: Nov.23 at 10:46 pm
      If anybody thinks Walsh won’t pull the trigger on any deal that gives NY enough cap space to sign 2 of the marquee free agents, think again. This year is not about winning. It’s about getting under the cap, and playing at an exciting tempo that players want to play in. If you’re a marquee free agent toiling away on a mediocre team and you see Al Harrington with a non-stop green light dropping 30 on a regular basis, you couldn’t help but think you could average 45. If you had another marquee free agent sidekick, you could lead the league in scoring, and get NY deep into the playoffs. If NY lands Lebron, they can financially afford to do just about anything to fill out the rest of the roster. If Lebron comes to the Knicks, the luxury tax will be something management uses to make fun of other teams as they bask in non-stop sellout games, through the roof merchandising, and oh yeah…winning. That winning thing gets forgotten as we debate the pros and cons of trading contracts, not players. If McGrady can play at half of what he was before the surgery, decides that he’d like to see what the second round looks like in person, and re-signs for a bargain after the big time guys sign, he’ll be the best 3rd option in the league. Bear in mind that David Lee and Nasty Nate(if they want to keep him) will have Bird rights and NY can go over the cap to keep them after the big timers are signed. Wishful thinking I guess. But as a Knicks fan, wishes are my reality.

    • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Nov.23 at 11:01 pm
      tavoris, I really hope you’re right man.

    • SLAM'sFAN Posted: Nov.23 at 11:32 pm
      The Knicks trading (1) Jor-downHill (2) Eddy (ate2much) Curry & (3) Larry Who? - just doesn’t make up for T-mac & Budinger - sorry

    • chintao Posted: Nov.24 at 12:04 am
      I’m pretty sure that the Knicks are just crunching the numbers on a max-deal for T-Mac. They’ll trade away everyone who is young with any potential whatsoever and then probably offer McGrady something like ten years, just to keep the team completely out of the playoffs for the remainder of my lifetime.

    • D-Wall Posted: Nov.24 at 12:42 am
      They should just sell the team and be done with it.

    • CARTEL Posted: Nov.24 at 1:00 am
      whatever drug it is that the knicks front office is smoking…I need to start selling it…

    • tmacallstar10 Posted: Nov.24 at 1:52 am
      tmacallstar10.wordpress,com for mcgrady

    • Dacre Posted: Nov.24 at 2:47 am
      J Posted: Nov.23 at 10:21 pm
      why not sign the suns gorilla?
      ___
      Can’t, he’s not a free agent till 2012.

    • Jon Posted: Nov.24 at 3:32 am
      Why does no one understand that T-Mac’s contract expires at 2010, right in line with well…you know who. Of course McGrady is expensive, but so id Eddy Curry if he exercises he option (why would he not?) If the Knicks can get rid of Curry and have T-Mac for one season then why not???? If ti fails his contract expires.

    • rikson Posted: Nov.24 at 4:07 am
      You guys do realize that McGradys contract expires after this season. So NY could get rid of some contracts in that deal….

    • J Posted: Nov.24 at 4:32 am
      @Dacre: then why not moondog of the cavs? they want someone from the cavs right?

    • J Posted: Nov.24 at 4:36 am
      A.I. is not a bargain of t-mac they’re not the same type of player.

    • Hoodsnake Posted: Nov.24 at 4:42 am
      It says right here Mac can play up to 3 positions on offense and D. On the other hand you have Iverson who is ONE DIMENSIONAL. Who would you rather have? Dont worry i’ll wait…

    • karan Posted: Nov.24 at 5:02 am
      AI > T-MAC

    • rushmelo Posted: Nov.24 at 8:01 am
      t-mac to knicks should wait.
      houston should give McGrady a chance to start once again.
      accordingly then make decisions.

    • 360vue Posted: Nov.24 at 9:09 am
      Some of you mouthin Tmac being vastly superior over AI need to stop smoking that crack. For a start, no-one has seen Tracy in NBA action for a helluva long time. In the last four years, only once has he managed more than 70 games. Then you talk of TMac being one year solution? So would AI…. And hang on? Get rid of some contracts? Hasn’t the Knicks whole last two years being leading up to this coming summer? They already have the cap room in place to sign that apparent all star, except it won’t happen. So what is having more cap space going to do?! Fact is, they have no chemistry so adding either can only improve or maintain that aspect not worsen it. Yes TMac can play/defend more positions but Tracy probably has 11inches over AI (he’s not his listed 6′8) and also costs a hell of a lot more for a season… All for what? So they can sign two all stars next summer? It ain’t gonna happen, no1 in their right mind would go NYK; that franchise is a fcuking disgrace to the game. Mike sucks as coach, Walsh sucks as a GM in NY, most of their squad have no upside, and most of them have an awful attitude… TMac is not a better idea than AI, fact. He might have more game about him (but thats dubious has noone has actually seen him play NBA for too long to do anything other than guess), but in every other aspect its not even remotely as feasible as signing AI. Shipping off contracts isn’t a logical response, they aint getting no AStar next year. So GTFO and get off the AI hate bandwagon its already grown incomparably tedious

    • tavoris Posted: Nov.24 at 9:31 am
      @Hoodsnake…Tmac>AI how? In case you didn’t realize, TMac has had microfracture surgery. Despite what he’s saying, he’s NO WHERE NEAR returning to the court as the player he once was.

    • rikson Posted: Nov.24 at 10:46 am
      People, this move is all about contracts and freeing capspace fro the offseason!

    • tavoris Posted: Nov.24 at 11:14 am
      rikson…duh. that’s why no other GMs in the L is interested in dealing with the Knicks.

    • Allenp Posted: Nov.24 at 11:31 am
      Where did this Tmac > Iverson nonsense come from?
      Based on what? His willingness to shoot contested jumpers and loaf on defense? His inability to stay healthy? When was the last time T-Mac even put up numbers or wins?

    • tavoris Posted: Nov.24 at 11:35 am
      When’s the last time he actually played? Today, Deshawn Stevenson is more productive than TMac, because TMac is producing NOTHING for the Rockets.

    • 360vue Posted: Nov.24 at 5:01 pm
      @rikson… no doubt but err WHY?! basically it appears they passed up on one declining vet for another who costs a hell of lot more….that cap space you’re talking of is useless because they’re only going to get role players next summer, which is what theyve already got in abundance but on silly contracts… anyway, you are aware of the fact that most of their squad are UNRESTRICTED FAs next summer anyway? SO what difference is bringing in one vastly overpaid player for a handful of overpaid players for a year?

    • KentuckyRob Posted: Nov.24 at 11:52 pm
      Why not have AI and Tmac???

    • rikson Posted: Nov.25 at 7:04 am
      “that cap space you’re talking of is useless because they’re only going to get role players next summer” -> We all know that, but apperantly the NY frontoffice isnt aweare of that fact! And they still have some players with contracts running longer than a year. Plus, I think getting rid of more players will give them a better chance to sign a big FA next offseason… Not a bad move in my eyes, but - ya know - houston wont give up that capspace either, so it wont happen!

    • sport highlights Posted: Nov.25 at 2:03 pm
      Budiger is the best !

    • popez Posted: Nov.25 at 2:54 pm
      should have signed a i t mac is my man but so was grant hill iverson was much cheaper and not as injury prone

    • chintao Posted: Nov.25 at 11:11 pm
      @ Hoodsnake Posted: Nov.24 at 4:42 am==> Iverson plays two positions (sometimes simultaneously). T-Mac fills one spot - the space at the end of the bench, where he can be seen in streetclothes.

    Comments




    The comments section is a place to further discuss the topics in this post. Commenters who seek to accomplish any of the following may be banned: - Personally attack other commenters. - Make derogatory comments regarding race, ethnicity, language, gender, sexual orientation or religion. - Troll, or comment with the intention of creating problems. Trolling includes, but isn't limited to, baiting people to flame at you, encouraging people to leave the site, spamming and using alternate IDs.