Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 10:30 am  |  63 responses

Will the Rockets Find a Taker for McGrady?

Everyone seems to understand that Houston is showcasing Tracy; it’s now just a matter of finding a willing trade partner: “McGrady’s comeback is only part of a larger plan to increase his minutes and prove his worth to a team willing to take a chance on his once-breathtaking ability to score and benefit from his $23 million expiring contract at the same time. The Rockets were 14-10 this season without Yao Ming and McGrady, and now the only question is how long they’ll have to keep up the charade until McGrady is in good enough condition to help another team. ‘The plan is to increase his minutes because they’re gonna trade him,’ said a person familiar with the Rockets’ plans. ‘I know they are. It doesn’t do them any good to have him playing eight minutes a game on that contract. They’ll find somebody, and there are plenty of teams that are interested, in spite of the contract.’ In fact, there will be plenty of teams interested because of that contract. McGrady’s $23 million salary comes with two built-in perks: It comes off the books on July 1, 2010, making it a vehicle for clearing cap space for the highly anticipated free-agent signing period, and it’s 80 percent insurance-protected. The insurance provision already has kicked in, since McGrady missed 41 consecutive games during his recovery from microfracture knee surgery. The Rockets, or McGrady’s new team, would receive 80 percent of his per-game salary for any games he misses the rest of this season.”

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  • twahc Posted: Dec.17 at 10:39 am
    no one can guarantee that he wont be injured again.

  • kh Posted: Dec.17 at 10:45 am
    $23 million dollars!
    Can’t wait to see who lands Tracy “the hammer head shark” McGrady.

  • MikeC. Posted: Dec.17 at 10:45 am
    But, can it can be guaranteed that his contract will expire at the end of the season. Teams don’t trade players much any more. They trade contracts.

  • TADOne Posted: Dec.17 at 10:57 am
    I know for a fact Detroit is interested.

  • heartlandG Posted: Dec.17 at 11:06 am
    I dont get why everybodys that interested…Iverson > McGrady, plus Ai was waay cheaper, and less of an injury risk

  • heartlandG Posted: Dec.17 at 11:08 am
    Oh yeah and RIP Chris Henry

  • NRatt Posted: Dec.17 at 11:10 am
    Couldn’t the Cavs use another scorer?

  • Hussman25 Posted: Dec.17 at 11:52 am
    COME TO PHILLY T-MAC; Brand or Sammy and Willie Green for T-MAC! as simple as that… The salaires or either brand or sammy plus willie green will come close… Houston needs to add some upfront help. This deal would help the Sixers make a run for a 4 we need in our system next summer so Thad wont have to play out of position… Bosh or Amare would be great adds if we can free up enough cap space… *a sixer fan dreaming* @heartlandG: Ditto! RIP C. Henry…

  • RV Posted: Dec.17 at 12:01 pm
    heartland…because he’s wiping off 23 mill of the books..the point is they really DONT want him, they want his contract and dont expect him to stay/resign.

  • boy sanchez Posted: Dec.17 at 12:25 pm
    Actually, I’d like to see T-Mac running the 2 in Philly or Phoenix. Both of these teams need a good scoring veteran. Also, Detroit and New York would be good fits, but I’m not so sure…

  • boy sanchez Posted: Dec.17 at 12:28 pm
    Plus, if he goes in Phoenix, he will be in the greatest shape he has ever been. Just watch Grant Hill!

  • JL Posted: Dec.17 at 12:32 pm
    wow a starting five of yao brand ariza brooks and battier with landry, hayes, lowry, and budinger off the bench is not bad at all! I don’t think it makes sense for the 76ers though… but it does give them a SG… although I’m not sure if Tmac is fast enough to guard shooting guards anymore

  • Hussman25 Posted: Dec.17 at 12:52 pm
    @JL: The trade to me should only be done as insurance for Yao and Andersen; Sammy or Brand gives them a viable option @ the 4 and 5 and lets Landry & Chuck come off the bench where they are most productive… For Philly purely a move to free up doe… Just ask Ruben Amaro & the Phils! We need a splash here in Philly… With AI coming back next year (he will be back…).. All the sixers need is some more vets in house… Mac will help for this year; but then next year you really go for broke!

  • JE Posted: Dec.17 at 1:02 pm
    ^I don’t think Houston would take on Brand’s contract for what he’s been producing. It would be a no-brainer for Philly though. Dre could guard the shooting guards, and Mac could take the SFs. AI, Tmac, Dre, Thad Young and Dalembert would be pretty fun. Not that it’ll ever happen — just making conversation.

  • JE Posted: Dec.17 at 1:05 pm
    TAD: For Hamilton and Prince? If that’s the case, I don’t see why Houston hasn’t pulled the trigger 5 minutes ago.

  • TADOne Posted: Dec.17 at 1:23 pm
    JE: Well, it takes both Hamilton’s and Prince’s contracts to make the numbers work. The thing is that no one will be trading for Tracy until he can prove he is healthy. I know that Joe Dumars has an affection for McGrady and has wanted him for some time. The reason why Houston wouldn’t surely ok that deal is because Prince still has 2 years and $23 mil left and Rip has 4 years and close to $50 mil left on their deals. That is a lot of money to take on considering they still have contracts for Yao, Ariza and Battier and have to consider re-signing Brooks and Scola at some point.

  • TADOne Posted: Dec.17 at 1:27 pm
    I’m also thinking Joe would want at least 1 or 2 draft picks.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Dec.17 at 2:17 pm
    I like Elton a lot, but Landry has been playing a lot better basketball than he has this year.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Dec.17 at 2:18 pm
    Also, in Phoenix Jason Richardson has been playing great.

  • estoniandude Posted: Dec.17 at 2:55 pm
    i would like Tmac buying out his contract and joining Orlando for veteran contract. It would be great to see Tmac and Vinsanity together again..

  • Fat Lever Posted: Dec.17 at 3:05 pm
    Um, I think, from a Sixers perspective, anything potentially reducing Jrue’s mins has to be taken into serious consideration. Kid is balling right now and getting invaluable experience while keeping his head above water. Plus, with the way the Sixers are playing, it would make more sense to get a top 5 pick and re-evaluate options at the end of the year. I think titles are won through the draft primarily, and with all that money coming off the books, I don’t trust the Sixers front office to spend it wisely.

  • NUPE Posted: Dec.17 at 3:06 pm
    I could see him in cleveland or miami Both teams desperate for another scorer and need to do more to keep bron/wade. I don’t see detroit giving both rip and prince up for T-mac, it’s too risky to build for/around T-mac and still won’t make them a contender. If he’s not traded and paired with another superstar this year, next year he will be in NYC along with Bosh and possibly Wade.

  • RoG23 Posted: Dec.17 at 3:24 pm
    Phoenix already has vet scorers in jrich, stat, even nash is good for 20+ on some nights. Rip and prince for mac doesn’t really make any sense at all for either team. Call me crazy , but I like raja bell for mac. I don’t know any details on bells contract or health, but just a swap of those two could work both ways.

  • nate the great Posted: Dec.17 at 3:44 pm
    yeah, i think they wont get any takers. prince and hamilton, stupid idea.

  • Hussman25 Posted: Dec.17 at 3:56 pm
    @ Fat Lever: Jrue is playing rather well; I proposed this mainly as a SALARY DUMP. I think everyone can agree the Sixers have invested WAAAAAYYYYY too much doe into the contracts of Sammy, Brand and Iggy. Keeping all 3 on your books for an extended amount of time will hurt u in free agency and any other potential deals… Also, I believe Willie Green has a rather “silly” deal also… (Thanks Billy 4 Sammy’s and Willie’s contracts! SMH!) Personally, the real issue is not GM Stefanski (or if he will make the deal or propose any deals); it’s ED SNYDER! Ed has never had a true hoops guy overseeing the on-the-court product. Pat Croche was more marketing and personality; the players loved to play for him and he went out of his way to keep order (Kept A.I and Larry together). This franchise is in need of a overhaul. Long overdue! Wonder what Doc (#6) is up to??

  • Yesse Posted: Dec.17 at 4:18 pm
    If he keeps the low numbers up im sure not.He played 7 minutes last game and no points.

  • TADOne Posted: Dec.17 at 4:24 pm
    You guys are completely missing the point on Detroit possibly being interested in picking up TMac for Rip and Tay. Look at it like this: Right now, Detroit is gurad heavy with Stuckey, Gordon, Bynum, Rip, and Atkins. Detroit also drafted 3 hybrid forwards in the draft in Jerebko, Daye, and Summers. Jerebko has started for Tay since he went down and has played very well and been a great surprise. Daye is starting to earn more minutes and has been good in spurts. Summers has been doing very well in practice according to Kuester and may start playing more. The point i’m making is that Detroit is still too reliant on it’s backcourt and wingmen for points and have a want and need for a dominant big man. In that sense, the trade for TMac would be two-fold: Dumars can get Tracy and see if he still has something to offer. On the flip side, his $23 mil would be coming off the books regardless and Dumars could dip his feet into the FA bonanza and get either a Boozer, Bosh or Amare. With the other $8-$10 mil he could snag another lower tier FA like Camby.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Dec.17 at 4:38 pm
    Why would the Rockets want Tayshaun Prince with Ariza, Scola, Landry, Battier, Buddinger, all playing the positions he plays?

  • TADOne Posted: Dec.17 at 4:41 pm
    Because the other option is losing TMac for nothing. Besides, i’m not saying they would but the salaries match up.

  • TADOne Posted: Dec.17 at 4:42 pm
    Besides that, Landry and Scola are PF’s and Battier and Ariza can play the SG spot. That is why.

  • nbk Posted: Dec.17 at 4:47 pm
    Here is an answer that fits for me….Prince would turn Houston into the best defensive team outside of the championship picture…and prince would fit in gorgeously w/ the everybody do equal work rockets. McGrady would give Dumars another shot at redemption after that charlie v and ben g signings

  • TADOne Posted: Dec.17 at 4:52 pm
    Just to clarify my position though: I really don’t think Dumars would make a move like this unless he considers that either A) TMac would be a difference maker THIS season or B) the Pistons are out of playoff contention before the trade deadline in February.

  • TADOne Posted: Dec.17 at 5:17 pm
    NBK: less than 25 games in and you have already deemed the Charlie and BG signings as having failed? Jump the shark much?

  • nbk Posted: Dec.17 at 5:30 pm
    here is why
    -detroit doesn’t play uptempo
    – charie v and bg can’t play defense
    -Those 2 need shots..well so does Rip, Tayshun and Stuckey (I know they wont complain publicly, but they play worse when they aren’t involved)
    -And even if they did run more, Detroit still is using undersized players that don’t play defense, you can’t win in the playoffs like that
    – charlie V and BG also take up any salary cap space that would be available to a player that truly deserves 10+ mill a year for the next 4 (?) years.

  • Az Posted: Dec.17 at 5:34 pm
    Tmac would be nice alongside Charlie V and BG! His playmaking skills are still there, great vision still on the court. I can just see it now, McGrady to Gordon for Thr33333333333!!!

  • ab_40 Posted: Dec.17 at 5:48 pm
    ah he’ll sign up with either boston or san antonio next summer a veteran team who can use a player who has a 20 to 30 point burst from time to time. he still knows how to score. It’s the quicknes on D that I and everybody else is worried about. and yeah orlando would be crazy. having him come of the bench instead of J.J. Reddick? that’s crazy

  • TADOne Posted: Dec.17 at 5:52 pm
    Ok, i’ll respond to each bullet point:
    -Why does Detroit need to play uptempo? For what? Controlling tempo and playing team defense is what wins in the NBA.
    -Yes, those two need shots but do not complain if they don’t get them. They also don’t complain about coming off the bench and have thrived at times in either role
    -Again, where is this Detroit doesn’t play defense coming from? Ben and Tay are renowed for their defense league wide. Rip never takes a play off on either end of the court. Stuckey has been lauded by players and coaches alike for his defense and how good it can be. Jerebko is a very good defender for a rookie. Besides, i’m not sure Detroit is a playoff team this season; not because they aren’t good enough, but because they have had too much change.
    -BG is the only player making more than $10 mil. Charlie is actually making only $7 mil.

  • nbk Posted: Dec.17 at 6:19 pm
    -Detroit needs to play uptempto to make the playoffs
    -They haven’t played the whole team together healthy, and they (BG & CV) are already taking less shos then last season
    -Chalie V is making only 7 this year, around 9 next year, and 10 the 2 years after that. Plus by that time Gordon will be making around 12-13 million.
    -If detriot misses the playoffs this year, Dumars will lose his job – and the rebuilding will start all over again

  • nbk Posted: Dec.17 at 6:27 pm
    Tad – If Dumars is allowed to commit 70 million in the offseason to two non stars, not make the playoffs, and still keeps his job then he better have somethin real special up his sleeve for this summer. (If i was Chris Bosh or any other FA, I wouldn’t sign in Detroit, especially with how dumars commits to unproven (maybe not unproven but unproven in terms of winning) talent on such a consistent basis)

  • TADOne Posted: Dec.17 at 6:29 pm
    -No, they don’t.
    -Yes, the whole team hasn’t been healthy and they have surprised me being only 3 games under .500
    -Charlie signed for 5 years and $35 ($7 per) and BG signed for 5 years and $55 ($11 per). Not sure where you are getting your numbers from?
    -If Dumars loses his job, I will personally fly to where you live and be your personal assistant for a month. The only way Dumars leaves Detroit’s front office is own his own decision.

  • nbk Posted: Dec.17 at 6:39 pm
    Charlie signed for 5 years 40 million. My bad – 7,7.5,8,8.5,9.0 are about the numbers he will earn per year.
    Ben Gordon Signed for 5 years and somewhere between 55 and 60 mill depending on incentives i believe.
    And he committed 95 million over the next 5 years to two guys.
    So your right my numbers were off but still if thats allowed to happen without any kind of consequences to Joe’s job security then how can you be comfortable with him as your GM?

  • nbk Posted: Dec.17 at 6:41 pm
    I said the same thing last year about them making the playoffs. Their two main additions are contradictory to their team concept. If they don’t adjust to make up for what they lose on defensewith those two in thegame then they will not win. Plus they are both good shooters who are fairly athletic for their positions. If detroit is too stubborn to run they will also be too stubborn to make the playoffs.

  • TADOne Posted: Dec.17 at 6:43 pm
    NBK, a little history lesson: Dumars also picked up unproven players ealier this decade in Billups, Hamilton, Ben Wallace and a noted lockerroom problem in Rasheed Wallace. I think they turned out ok.

  • TADOne Posted: Dec.17 at 6:45 pm
    No one has ever said Detroit is too stubborn to run. But defense is important and Kuester has stressed that. Besides, when have they had a healthy roster to be able to run this season? Only game 1.

  • Dave Posted: Dec.17 at 7:25 pm
    TAD: Jump the shark means to pass the point of usefulness. Jump the GUN means to act or decide prematurely.

  • Jose Posted: Dec.17 at 8:00 pm
    Back to toronto. for who? idk.lol

  • nbk Posted: Dec.17 at 9:03 pm
    They are better suited to run healthy or not first of all. The dumars debate can go either way. He has been hugely successful while at the same time being a huge failure. Basically by drafting Darko and subsequently obtaining Rasheed Wallace (the day after he was originally traded to atlanta) as you said, he traded one championship for probably 2, maybe even 3 or 4 titles in passing on Carmelo, Bosh, & Wade. dumars was building towards the future while staying competitive until he gave away billups for money, then used that money on two offensive players who do not at all fit into the pistons culture. Now you have young talent mixed with middle aged players who wont make the playoffs. Its hard to learn how to win through losing especially without a star

  • Joe Posted: Dec.17 at 9:17 pm
    The Bucks could give up Michael Reed?

  • Orlando Green Posted: Dec.17 at 9:36 pm
    Would love to see him run for the Lakers, he could play any position except the 5. He would thrive in the triangle, he is an amazing passer.

  • Mack Posted: Dec.17 at 10:24 pm
    at 23 mill, good luck

  • MikeC. Posted: Dec.17 at 11:29 pm
    Until he proves his health, McGrady isn’t going to any team that has legit playoff aspirations. No way they give up the players required to match up salaries. McGrady will either stay in Houston, or he’ll go to a bad team looking to dump salary. Right now, Donnie Walsh is trying to figure out how to land McGrady’s expiring contract without having to give up David Lee, the rookies, or Gallo. McGrady would be wise to push for a trade to Phoenix. That training staff will make him an MVP candidate again.

  • Seven Duece Posted: Dec.18 at 2:03 am
    As a former Orlando resident and witness to some of his exceptional performances, it’s sad to see TMac reduced to this. He was truly a phenomenal (and completely conceited) player who absolutely dominated. Just looking at his body is depressing, he used to be long, lithe and athletic. Hopefully he doesn’t duplicate Penny’s sad descent. He needs to get to Phoenix or Chicago ASAP! Both areas have medical facilities renowned for rehabbing athletes back to great shape.

  • nate the great Posted: Dec.18 at 2:55 am
    at TADOne.
    you saying the pistions have to many guards and forwards. isnt tmac either a shooting guard or small forward?
    it still doesnt make any sense to me.
    i just dont see how this helps the pistions in anyway possible besides clearing up cap space.

  • nate the great Posted: Dec.18 at 2:57 am
    now i can see orlando in away. because he will kinda take hedo’s spot at the 3. and lewis will move to the 4 where he peforms better. and everyone would love the reunion of carter and mac.
    but that will only happen if houston buys out his contract. and im sure they will either hold him to where his contract expires, or trade.

  • 360vue Posted: Dec.18 at 3:30 pm
    If we could get rid of Brand’s retarded 5year near max contract I’d happily have TMAC for a season

  • Kyle Posted: Dec.18 at 3:39 pm
    Clearing up cap space is a big deal, because of all the free agents in the upcoming season. Sure, most teams are going to be crushed and stuck with horrible teams(cause most these guys don’t want to go to a team that wins 25 games a year.) McGrady actually does need to get to Phoenix or Chicago. Seriously… (Phoenix is the best place to get healthy and back to what you were.) He could play the position Marion did. I’ve seen Marion enough for Dallas this season to see that there was a definite Jason Kidd/Steve Nash affect on his game. More so Nash and D’Antoni probably.

  • Dacre Posted: Dec.18 at 8:34 pm
    I just don’t see how the Suns can give up so much for an expiring contract in TMac. No one realistically see’s TMac as a bonafide star in the league again do they?? (Allstar game votes not withstanding…) – There is not enough depth off the Suns bench to withstand a trade (because of the value it’s going to have to include Amar`e if not Richardson AND Barbosa plus future picks) of this magnitude – unless it clears a whole lot of room for say…LeBron. But that would just be utter rediculous. I’m not going to entertain that thought any further – Steve Kerr is not shrewd enough to pull that move…….is he? Clear room for LeBron to come to the West?

  • MJ is the Real #23 Posted: Dec.18 at 10:18 pm
    I think the Knicks will try their best to showcase Curry and/or Jeffries within the next few months so they can trade one (or both) of those guys to the Rockets for TMac’s contract. Rockets are in desperate need for a center and if D’Antoni can pad Curry’s stats enough, the Rockets may pull the trigger. I certainly hope not though….

  • RV Posted: Dec.19 at 2:50 am
    rockets would never take back tayshaun with ariza, budinger, and battier. Although thye can all three play SG too, they arent true SGs and a true SG is what Houston really needs. Ariza, prince, and battier are too similar, would end up playing limited mins to make room for everyone and therefore would be making too much money for the minute they play. I could see them being interested in Rip as a player, but i’m not sure morey would like his contract of 12m per year, since on the rockets he would be doing less, scoring a lot less…

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Dec.19 at 5:37 pm
    RV, the Rockets are fine with the two point-guard tandem. They’re the closers every night anyways. If the Rockets needed a shooting guard THAT desperately, Morey would have re-signed Von Wafer.

  • Buschfiya Posted: Dec.20 at 8:46 am
    send him back to T dot…maybe he’ll be rejuvenated haha

  • jrb Posted: Dec.20 at 10:47 am
    Buschifiya, that was hilarious. Tmac 4 nate rockets-knicks trade so NY can finally make the playoffs

  • RV Posted: Dec.21 at 2:33 am
    teddy, wafer wasnt re-signed because they wanted to see what tmac could do and wafer wanted more than he was worth, which was evident by him having no other option than to go overseas. Morey’s not going to overpay anyone like that just to fill a position. The two gaurd tandem is usually in response to the opposing team’s lineup, not so much because the team prefers it, a true SG would be more capable of playing small than Ariza/bud/battier in those situations.

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