McGrady Wants to be Traded

[Neuqua]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1824663

Orlando expected to explore trades

ESPN.com news services

The Orlando Magic lost one superstar eight years ago when Shaquille O'Neal left via free agency. Now they may trade away another one.


Tracy McGrady
Shooting Guard
Orlando Magic
Profile


2003-2004 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
67 28.0 6.0 5.5 .417 .796

Tracy McGrady, who can become a free agent next year, informed the Magic on Friday that he does not want to re-sign with the club, league sources told the Orlando Sentinel.

In order to avoid losing McGrady without compensation, the Magic are expected to explore trade options. McGrady, who has led the NBA in scoring the past two seasons, should draw heavy interest.

The Sentinel cited the Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns as potential suitors. One source told the paper that the Magic have asked the Pacers for as many as four players -- Ron Artest, Jonathan Bender, Al Harrington and Jamaal Tinsley -- in return.

Although McGrady could not be reached for comment on Friday, he has said he would opt to leave if he didn't think the Magic could improve quickly. Orlando fell to a league-worst 21-61 record next season and has the No. 1 pick in the draft.

McGrady had hoped the team would trade the pick for veteran help, but the club wants to keep the selection. On Friday, the team worked out UConn's Emeka Okafor, and plans to do the same with high schooler Dwight Howard on Saturday. The Magic is expected to use the No. 1 pick on one of those two players.

Magic general manager John Weisbrod did say, however, he has received trade bids that are intriguing and getting better by the day.

"There are teams offering three guys and their first-round pick. Three established players and a lottery pick is certainly a respectable offer for a team that has a lot of holes to fill," Weisbrod said. "It comes down to making a judgment of how special you think one of these two kids can be."

McGrady had been pressured by Weisbrod to make a decision about his long-range future in Orlando. Weisbrod does not want to go into the 2004-05 season uncertain about McGrady's status.

McGrady's seven-year, $93 million contract runs through the 2006-07 season. But he can opt out of the deal after next season.

Magic owner Rich Devos was expected to meet with McGrady at some point. It is unsure whether that meeting took place on Friday.

Devos was hoping to persuade McGrady to stay, citing the No. 1 pick and the possibility of Grant Hill coming back from injury.

Instead, it looks like McGrady will follow Shaq out of town -- although this time, the Magic are determined to get something in return.

"That was eight years ago and we're still trying to get our feet underneath us," Magic senior vice president Pat Williams said. "At least with the McGrady thing, we're wiser, we have greater insights into the whole process and we're better equipped to deal with it."

If McGrady is traded, he would be the fourth defending scoring champion in NBA history to be dealt away, and the first since the Buffalo Braves sent Bob McAdoo to the New York Knicks in 1976.

McGrady signed with his hometown team in 2000, thinking he and Hill could turn the Magic into championship contenders.

But Hill's injured left ankle has limited him to 37 games in four seasons, leaving McGrady with the task of carrying the team.

Despite his league-leading 28 points per game, McGrady couldn't make the Magic winners last season.

Evidently, McGrady doesn't think the drafting of Okafor would provide immediate help.

"That's his opinion," Okafor said Friday.

Yet Okafor, a two-time national defensive player of the year, would immediately toughen up Orlando's play in the paint. The Magic finished last in almost every defensive statistic last season.

Okafor averaged almost 4.3 blocks per game in his three seasons at Connecticut, and his 411 career blocks rank seventh in NCAA history. He also averaged 10.6 rebounds.

The knock on Okafor is his offense, although it improved at Connecticut. His career average of 13.8 points has many wondering if his ceiling is limited.

"I'll try to help in as many ways as I can," Okafor said. "I'm not a big guy about talking, 'I'm going to do this, I'm going to do that.' I pretty much just show up and let my play do the talking, and come season time, everybody's questions will be answered, good or bad."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.




Let the TMac for Shaq rumors begin!

[Eaglesfan27]

I just finished reading this on ESPN's site. What about a Kobe sign and trade for McGrady? I'm not a Laker's fan, but on some level this makes sense for both teams. Kobe could make more money in Orlando with the lack of state income tax and he would be the ONLY star on that team. McGrady would be the only player who could be close to as good as Kobe that I could see them getting in a sign and trade.

[Anthony]

Lakers said they will not be doing any sign and trades with Kobe.

Denver should make a move for him - Nene, Andre Miller and their 1st round pick for McGrady.

[MrBug708]

I think they would consider it for TMac, since Duncan and Garnett aren;t going anywhere anytime soon.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Hell Atlantic

Lakers said they will not be doing any sign and trades with Kobe.

Denver should make a move for him - Nene, Andre Miller and their 1st round pick for McGrady.

Not a bad trade, except I'm sure he probably doesn't want to go to Denver, nor would it help them make the playoffs anymore or less.

[Anthony]

imagine Carmelo Anthony at SF and McGrady at SG? wow.

at some point the Nuggets and Cavs are gonna have to get bona-fide 2nd stars to compete alongside their franchise players.

even Magic Johnson had Kareem and Larry Bird had the depth of a huge frontcourt in McHale, Parish and Walton.

[korme]

The Magic want Amare AND The Matrix for McGrady, from the Suns. Ha! HA!

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Hell Atlantic

imagine Carmelo Anthony at SF and McGrady at SG? wow.

at some point the Nuggets and Cavs are gonna have to get bona-fide 2nd stars to compete alongside their franchise players.

even Magic Johnson had Kareem and Larry Bird had the depth of a huge frontcourt in McHale, Parish and Walton.

Give em both some time. The Nuggets have a crapload of cap room. They'll be active in FA.

Another thing to keep in mind about the Nuggets: They have a first round pick coming to them from the Clippers. It is either in 2005 or 2006. If the Clippers are not one of the top 15 teams in the NBA next season, the Nuggets have their pick in 2006. That pick is not protected.

The Nuggets also have a future 76ers pick in the next few years.

The problem with moving Nene AND Miller at once is the fact we don't have replacements for either. Camby, should he be resigned, would be our only solid "big." He'll be injured for 85% of next season. Earl Boykins backs up Miller. He's a nice role player, nothing more. It's tough to go without an above average PG in this league. Say we sign Nash. That becomes the worst defensive team in the league. Melo, T-Mac, Nash, Camby and Franciso Elsen?

I'd love the style of basketball being played, but I don't think you can win with that group.

[SteelerFan448]

Screw McGrady, I'd be going after Shaq if I were an NBA team.

BTW, I wouldn't count Memphis out of Kobe or Shaq.

[Noop]

If I were a NBA team i would want in this order

1. Kobe
2. T-Mac
3. R.Wallace
4. Shaq

[Alf]

Noop, where is Kevin Garnett ?

[HeavyReign]

I think noop is just ranking players who are actually available this offseason.

[Noop]

Alf what Heavy said....

[SunDancer]

I think that Denver would be alittle interesting if Kobe signs. Kobe, with his trial and that all center in the Colorado state, doesn't get a warm reception exactly.

[Sharpieman]

I think a lot of teams are rating TMac over Kobe because of the whole rape thing. This off season will be very interesting.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by Sharpieman

I think a lot of teams are rating TMac over Kobe because of the whole rape thing. This off season will be very interesting.

Sharpie, what are you doing up at 315 in the morning?

And I dont think a lot of people are rating Tmac over Kobe because of talent and the fact Kobe is an unrestricted FA and Tmac isn't.

[Eaglesfan27]

TMac is about to be traded along with Juwan Howard for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kato. I think this trade favors Houston, if TMac can learn to share the ball with Yao. I remember posting here a few days ago that I thought he would cut down his shots for Shaq, but I'm not sure if he would do so as much for Yao at this point in his career. Either way, tt will be very interesting to see TMac and Yao together.