Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 9:15 am  |  95 responses

What’s Next for T-Mac?

by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni

As you’ve likely heard by now, Tracy McGrady’s relationship with the Houston Rockets has soured, perhaps to the point of no return.

T-Mac’s employer sent him home for the weekend, disactivating the once co-franchise player for two games. There’s no telling if and when he’ll suit up for the Rockets again.

The Rockets’ über-careful plan of playing him extremely limited minutes (likely out of fear that he’ll tweak or break something else) isn’t sitting well with McGrady, so they’ve decided the best course of action is to not play him any minutes at all.

From the Houston Chronicle:

McGrady, a 6-8 guard/forward, was told Saturday morning he will sit out the weekend back-to-back against the Nets and Cavaliers and was given permission Saturday afternoon to return to Houston from New Jersey. The Rockets host New Orleans on Tuesday.

“I’m a player, man,” McGrady, 30, said. “I don’t make these decisions. I just abide by whatever they bring to me. That’s the plan. I’m not going to argue and fight with them — just run with it. I felt it was time (to increase the routine of playing seven to eight first-half minutes). “I’m not going to cause any confusion or confrontations. As a player, that’s what I felt. They obviously feel different. That’s what I have to roll with.”

It’s very likely that Daryl Morey and the rest of the braintrust in Houston is working the phones and emails very hard to try and find a trade partner for the former scoring champ. McGrady is clearly no longer in the long-term picture for the Rockets.

It would be ideal for both sides if Tracy found a new home, and soon, but that’s obviously no guarantee. And if that doesn’t happen, things will be tense and awkward in Houston for a while.

UPDATE: McGrady has officially asked for a trade, and Morey appears ready to try and make that happen, beginning by granting T-Mac an indefinite leave of absence. The Houston Chronicle has the latest.—Ed.

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  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    Eddy Curry for Tmac.

  • http://gmail dirty frank

    “I just abide by whatever they bring to me…I’m not going to argue or fight with them…”
    Doesn’t sound to me like he’s abiding or not arguing.
    Can he not realize that he will be better trade bait if he plays his heart out for 7-8 minutes again than if he pulls an Iverson – 30 minutes or I’m going home.
    I want to see TMac succeed but this just seems counterproductive to me.

  • Jake

    Do they honestly think that playing him 8 minutes a game is doing the team any good?It’s like bringing AI off the bench.They’re nothing if they aren’t starting!When will someone realize that if you have a starter with a starter’s mentality and you try to bring them off the bench….they are not going to respond well.TRADE THE MAN!And while I’m at it,Mike D is a D*ck with the Knicks.Since he’s been there he’s destroyed the careers of two point guards and a Center.If you’re not going to play someone,at least have the decency to get a trade set up before hand so that these players can try to showcase their talents.There’s so much negativity this season,it’s stressin’ me out yo!

  • Andre

    Please send him to Dallas!

  • Sonic

    What can I say? What will Houston really get out of this?

  • http://none The Philosopher

    The thing is that the League has long grown tired of grown men who act like babies. These children like to be cradled and catered to like crying babies.

  • http://slamonline.com NUPE

    T-Mac is handling the situation the way I would expect. He’s disapointed but not blasting the team, coaches, ownership or anybody else for not agreeing with how he thinks things should happen. He’s in the last year of his deal so I’m sure they want to trade him to get at least something for him. The Cavs are clearly in line to get another scoring threat and some feel that they missed an opp with jax and to a lesser degree AI (which now looks like a blessing). T-Mac could add a lot to make the Cavs an even bigger threat in the East and to win it all. They could give up AP or Moon and maybe even D-west and come out a better team. D-Wade is also asking for help in Miami. However B-easy is the only thing worth trading for and that may not be good for Miami considering T-Macs injury list.

  • http://none The Philosopher

    Like Iverson, Marbury, Antoine Walker, Nate Robinson, the list goes on. Those guys aren’t real men. They are babies who have long disrepected the game and the League.

  • Wesley-David

    trade him to my nets we need sumin lol

  • nicko

    TRADE HIM FOR SHAQ

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    Just a quick helpful tip: for you guys just throwing out names in trade scenarios, please understand that in the NBA the contracts in a trade have to match up to within something like 5 to 10%; TMac is easily making the most money this season at $23 million, so to trade for him a team would have to include 2 to 3 contracts that add up to close to $23 million. ESPN.com has a ‘Trade Machine’ on their site under the NBA content where you can try out various trades and it gives you all of the players contract info. Try it out.

  • max

    Why does he act so immature? Give me what I want or I run away?! He is not YET the franchise player he once was….
    TADOne are their any possible trade scenarios with the Pistons?

  • http://www.shawn-kemps-offspring.blogspot.com/ TADOne

    Max: Yes. The Pistons would have to trade both Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton though.

  • IndyB

    How would the fans in Houston feel about Troy Murphy and TJ Ford?

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    Curry is making a lot so he and Jefferies would work but no one is that stupid especially not Morey (sp)

  • johnny

    I think a buyout is the only thing they can do. For that large expiring contract, they would be expecting too much in return. T-Mac’s been a pro during this situation and the Rockets have treated him unfairly. Just buy him out and let him play on another team. He’s worked to hard in the offseason to go to waste. GO TMAC

  • Hornet

    I would pick t-mac over richard jefferson (even with bad knees) anyday if i were the spurs manager

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    I think the only two places that work for Tmac are New York and Phoenix. New York for numbers and proper trade bait as the rockets need a center and Phoenix for health reasons.

  • RV

    Almost as bad as Yahoo sports, who put on their homepage that he “took a leave from the team”, implying it’s because of minutes…not the case…he was always suppose to only play for a handful of games to evaluate him…so far there’s no facts on why he went home, just that he did. WE dont know if he was sent home, left home, or they mutually agreed he should wait at home. More than likely tmac was becoming a media distraction, and since he wasnt going to play anyway, they agreed he should wait at home so the focus could be on the team.

  • http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/overdribbling/index276.html chiqo

    mac gets to stick it out in houston. because unless someone makes the team a deal it can’t refuse– and that’s very unlikely– they’ll want the 233 million in cap space come this offseason. if you add one or two very good free agents and yao next year to a team that is better because they’ve spent a year not depending on a superstar, there’s a chance they could improve greatly. plan for the future, not the present.

  • derrick

    man o man tmac would be the truth in ny. curry, lee and jeffries for t-mac would be nice for the knicks.

  • Yo Nupe

    Living here in Houston for over 30 years and just seeing the management for the teams here…rockets, texans, oilers, ass-tro’s. It is sickning..player have, for years been bad guys or underachievers for Houston teams and then go to another city and become all-stars..you know the names. Tracy, true, has been injured, but injury’s happen. He is a proven commodity and can still be a positive part of the team. Adleman thinks he can win with the “college” style play…you’re wrong. In the play-offs, teams are going to force you into half-court and the rockets have NOONE who can create a treat. I’ve seen Aaron not even get a shot off in closing seconds. Fire Adelman.

  • nicko

    TRADE TMACS KNEES FOR SHAQS KNEES! KALAMAZOO KAZAMMM

  • http://slamonline.com JL

    wow tmac for shaq makes some sense, although I don’t think cleveland wants to give up their big man acquisition so quick, since tmac can’t body up dwight howard. probably why it hasn’t been done yet.

  • fan

    this is about tmac announcing micro fracture knee surgery, the day before the trade deadline last year, with some personal doctors of his. TMac doesn’t have a physical problem, He has a “I’ve been pampered since I was 18 superstar, selfish problem.” It is what it is as far as I can see, Tmac is just reaping some of what he’s sown, people are looking for him to prove them wrong, but believe me, Tmac will get his way, he’s done it his whole career. You’re only as good as the adversity you’re willing to overcome. Tmac has all the talent in the world, that is not his Advisory, it’s his lack of commitment to anything that takes real unacknowledged effort. Like defense. In the end tmac is all about himself, but I’m still hoping he proves us wrong. He probably still has the best skill set in the NBA, I’ve heard it’s been said “that your gift will bring you before kings,” but it’s your character that will keep you their. I won’t be surprised if this turns into another Toronto situation or Orlando, yeah I’m sure it’s something wrong with Houston..right, surely not tmac.

  • nicko

    manz i juz want da tmac jawnt to go to da cavs jawnt so mac can playz wit da lebron jawnt n dey be winning ships and shi*

  • LA Huey

    Houston doesn’t care about what he feels. And why should they? Remember, he’s the one that announced on his website that he was undergoing season-ending surgery before he even told his team.

  • Hussman25

    Sammy D and Willie Green for T-Mac and Kyle Lowry and a second round pick! Come on Stefanski! PULL THE TRIGGER! (No pun intended folks)

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Wow, this is just like every other sports media outlet–trying to stir up drama when there is none. TMZ Sports my @ss.
    THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO STORY HERE.
    McGrady was left out of ONE road trip because the team wanted to focus without changing the rotation, and so that he could get some rest.
    Now that they are back in Houston, they finally have time to work out new rotations and try new things. HOW DOES THIS NOT MAKE SENSE?
    Rockets fans actually LIKE McGrady, and there is absolutely no reason to trade him for a scrub at this point. If he is traded, it will be for a reason better than “he doesn’t want to play 8 minutes a game.”
    They’re easing him back into the line-up with these 7-8 minute substitutions. He’s shown that the can play again, when he scored 10 points and dished out 3 or 4 assists in 7 minutes of action…
    Again: THERE IS NO STORY HERE.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Hussman25: That’s the worst trade possible for the Rockets… They don’t need Samuel Dalembert or Willie Green, and Kyle Lowry is playing GREAT. Kyle Lowry is loads better than both those players combined. Plus, defense is NOT a problem for Houston at the moment. Come on now.

  • nicko

    YEAH IDIOT

  • http://myspace.com/brandnew Bryan

    Anyone who would trade David Lee for tmac at this point is stupid.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Are the Sixers really that eager to move Dalembert? Does it have anything to do with goaltending his own teammate’s gamewinner?

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    whoa teddy there are 23 million reasons to trade tracy mcgrady first of all. second McGrady was left out of this road trip because HE ASKED FOR A BIGGER ROLE – Not because he needed rest. He wanted a bigger role, adelman told him no, a conversation ensued ending in the Rockets telling McGrady he would again be deactivated. There is a story here, it will progress, McGrady will either be traded, or left inactive.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Daryl Morey and Rick Adelman are smart enough to know NOT to leave a player like McGrady on lockdown. If they are to trade him, he’ll obviously see SOME minutes so they can boost his trade value. Also, the Rockets could definitely use T-Mac. Houston’s management is NOT New York’s management… They actually know what they’re doing.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    which is why they have T-Mac inactive. A 31 year old former dominate player has no place on a developing team with no immediate championship aspirations. Do you take minutes away from Wings not yet in their primes and give them to a declining star just to “showcase” his talent. Or do you concentrate on improving your team for the future and dealing with your 23 million dollar contract off the court, or do you take minutes away from your future to secure a trade in which you will surely be getting less talent then your giving up. Its common sense not to play McGrady – he has an expiring deal, worst thing that can happen is he sits on his a$$ all season, and the Rockets end up with 23 million dollars less on their payroll for next year. and thats worst case scenario

  • Hussman25

    I know @teddy-the bear; that was just wishful thinking…. I just wanna dump Sammy’s contract! LOL! Im not really serious; would take on T-Mac even 4 one yr, but the salaries got to match… Brand is not needed down there; Id just say Sammy for now because u never know how Yao is gonna hold up and “u cant teach 7 feet…” @Nicko: no name calling: Thanx…

  • Hussman25

    Also @teddy: YES WE ARE THAT EAGER TO MOVE SAMMY! Everytime he touches the ball I vomit in my mouth a lil! He has been playin a “lil” better since A.I. has come back to town; but that cant last the rest of the year… Someone is gonna have to go (Brand, Sammy or Iggy) Pick one OR TWO! But having 12+ million in these 3 players for the next few seasons is not gonna play well here in Philly… The Media already senses blood in the water….

  • RV

    you nupe, what rockets have left the team only to become all-stars somewhere else?? Rockets management has been one of the best in basketball for a while now, maybe 20 yrs ago it wasnt, but no reason to bring it up for this one incident when things have been going well for years now. They made good decisions, unfortunately luck hasnt always been on their side.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    @ nbk: What do you mean ‘no immediate championship aspirations’? Maybe not this season, but with a healthy Yao Ming and a veteran in McGrady, the Rockets are definitely able to compete for a championship. The trick is keeping Yao healthy, but we’ve seen last year that the Rockets are the deepest team in the NBA by the way they played with him out…
    So keeping McGrady does not hinder talent when the Rockets need a real shooting guard. Although, the Lowry/Brooks backcourt seems to be working really well. Who knows what’ll happen.
    LOL @ Hussman.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Teddy if you think McGrady is part of Houston’s future plans then you may be certifiably insane. Thiee championship aspirations rely solely on IF they can get Yao healthy. IF not then they have to be prepared to rebuild. Two injury prone, high priced stars is definitely not something Houston is going to continue dealing with. Especially considering they have had more success regular season and playoffs with McGrady out of the lineup.

  • http://dsjfhklf.com Jukai

    Teddy: You’re downplaying this buddy. Even in Houston, it’s a media fiasco.

  • Luke Klabunde

    T-Mac left because he wanted to be home for his son’s birthday and both he and the team didn’t think his 7 minutes were gonna have an impact in either of the two road games he missed. I find it interesting that a bunch of these stories are trying to start something between McGrady and the team. The Rockets’ GM Daryl Morey, Coach Adelman, and McGrady are meeting on Tuesday to discuss T-Mac’s role. McGrady doesn’t want out and the Rockets aren’t kicking him out the door. He’s probably gonna be back on the floor for the Rockets in the near future

  • http://www.cracked.com litetitan

    Any shrewd coach/GM knows that TMac will not be helping any of the top tier finals bound teams get over the hump for their 23 mil this season. You let Houston hold onto him, he either puts in work at home and keeps fit or he proves that he doesn’t really care and will sit about. If he still looks viable come the off season you pick him up for the veterans minimum (perhaps a touch over, say 1.5 mil for the season) and he goes to work and earns his way. At this stage, where he is at emotionally and physically he isn’t really an asset.

  • http://www.cracked.com litetitan

    @ tEDDY THE bEAR – An NBA teams ‘championship aspirations’ do not hinge on how well you play when you don’t have your best players for entire seasons at a time. Houston management must be absolutely manic, considering how much money they have invested into both T-Mac and Ming and they have done a good job of just keeping their head above water with it. The wins on the board are a small relief but what they are dealing with is NO WHERE near their expectations. They know it. The media in Houston know it and now you know too… there WILL be change in NASA HQ.

  • RV

    Jukai, yes and no. Every time a bad story comes out it seems to come out on a national level. So whether you’re in houston or not, you’ll hear about it. Then the rockets will talk to local papers or stations andbasically say it was exaggerted, not the case, etc. And that doesnt get out nationally because why would Yahoo or espn want the situation to die down? I’m not saying there’s nothing to it, but it’s likely not as bad and unprofessional between both sides as they make it out to be. These stories are pretty much what i read this summer, how he was done, wouldnt play another minute in houston again, etc.

  • Donovan

    The only players on the Rockets worth keeping are Brooks, Scola, and Landry. I guess Lowry and Budinger to a lesser extent. Trevor Ariza is a decent player but Im not sure if he is a starter or star. If Brooks isn’t shooting lights out the Rockets will lose. So they would rather bench McGrady instead of playing him with a decent team. Why don’t they just play him so other teams can see what he’s worth. This is not a top-4 team in the West. They need to play Tmac or give him decent minutes as a showcase.

  • TDOT

    Jose Calderon and Marco Belinelli for T-Mac. Make it happen

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    lite: You’re right, they hinge on how well you can play with your best players in… and that’s at a championship level. Which is why I said the Rockets can contend for a championship with a healthy Yao Ming. The expectations going into THIS season are being met so far–developing the team without Yao so that when he DOES come back healthy, they can compete. T-Mac might be traded, but I don’t see Yao being moved anywhere within the next 2 years.

  • str8 from samoa

    this is bullshat. this is t-macs team!!!

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