NBA Free Agency: Tracy McGrady Strongly Interested In Lakers

[LAKERFAN24]

Tracy McGrady would like to sign with the 2010 NBA champion Lakers, and has forwarded that sentiment to his agent and close colleagues, according to sources within the Lakers' front office.

Tracy McGrady, a perennial All-Star and two-time NBA Scoring champion, has undergone a significant hit to his reputation after failed stints in Toronto, Orlando, and Houston. To date, McGrady has not gone past the first-round in the NBA playoffs.

After having battled various knee and back injuries in the past couple years, Tracy McGrady has been working himself back into shape under the strenuous regimen of esteemed athletic trainer Tim Grover. Now that he has finished his physical rehabilitation program, McGrady is feeling rejuvenated enough to make a return in the 2010-2011 NBA season.

Despite having limited intentions to use the Mid-Level Exception this summer, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak would consider pulling the trigger on the seven-time All-Star swingman should he accept a paycut at the MLE. Ron Artest, the defensive-minded role player who played a huge factor in this year's Lakers-Celtics NBA Finals, has reached out to McGrady to "end his career as a champion."

The Lakers are willing to explore a potential reunion of former Houston teammates Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady once the July 1 free agency begins.

In Los Angeles, Tracy McGrady would be asked to come off the bench as a role player, similar to what Lakers' forward Lamar Odom has done in the past two seasons. McGrady would provide the Lakers' bench unit with some offensive firepower and stability, and be another deadly weapon in the already loaded Lakers' arsenal.

Most importantly, the acquisition of Tracy McGrady would address the important need for a secondary slasher besides Kobe Bryant. As advocated by Laker great Jerry West, "I think they do need some changes. If you look, they have some free agents that are coming up but the thing that would most concern me is I think they need someone else other than Kobe Bryant getting in the lane."

Moreover, unlike former teams in which he was asked to carry the team throughout the entire season, Tracy McGrady understands that a potential role with the Lakers would not require such an emotionally draining position of leadership. McGrady has tremendous respect for the reigning Finals MVP Kobe Bryant, and has made it known that he would gladly accept a lesser role to play alongside whom he considers the best basketball player in the world.

As expressed by one high-ranked official within the Lakers' management, should Tracy McGrady not return to the New York Knicks next season or spurn retirement, "expect the deal to get done by end of July."



http://bleacherreport.com/articles/4090 ... -in-lakers

[stunnar0b]

thank the heavens yet again i remember an interview from smith asking tmac if he would join kobe and make one last push tmac replied and said after i win a champion i'll take him up on it so idk would be nice

[Luffy]

here's the interview you are talking about stunnar0b

this was back in fall of 2008 when ron artest was on the rockets with t-mac

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-Ecx5v8vIo

[RJM]

I must be a a Laker Prophet.

Proof - viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1021291&start=15

[stunnar0b]

after seeing that again... he just might do it since it didnt work out in Houston and he did voice that he was waiting lebron in newyork so whats the differnece in coming to la and playing with the one guy he would want to in kobe jellybean bryant, and ontop of that ron is with the laker now it cant getting any better then that for tmac

sounds pretty convincing

[ChampagnePapa]

Makes me love the good ol days...when Kobe was considered a horrible teammate...that was just a few days ago, Game 5, 3rd quarter...odd how people are wanting to come play with him. I love the hate...i'll gladly accept t-mac if he'll gladly accept our low offer...make it happen, even the t-mac curse won't keep us outta the finals...make it happen tracy

[TruSkool]

tmac to LA would be an instant hit

[Slava]

The big question is would he be happy backing up Ron Artest?

I'm pretty sure Ron would not settle for a bench role like LO after starting on a championship team and being decisive factor in our big games.

[PierceWalker]

The big question is would he be happy backing up Ron Artest?

I'm pretty sure Ron would not settle for a bench role like LO after starting on a championship team and being decisive factor in our big games.

Thats true j-far, that might be the only kink on this. T-Mac knows his last couple years hasnt been nice and this might be the turn around for him.

[KingLakers]

I wouldn't want to give Mcgrady the MLE maybe half at most he's got some cajones to ask for nearly 6m considering how unreliable physically he has been for 3 or 4 yrs. And this only happens if Shannon opts out there is no way the Lakers can give Tmac any pt with Shannon still here.And he's not going to be just Artest's backup he'll be Kobes also basically he takes Shannons role.

[semi-sentient]

No thanks. There are better options out there for MLE-type money (Mike Miller, for example). McGrady hasn't been good for several years, and quite frankly, there is no real reason to believe he'll be healthy. Look at his games played over the past 5 seasons:

2005-06: 47
2006-07: 71
2007-08: 66
2008-09: 35
2009-10: 30

He hasn't played in the post-season since 2007-08 because of his injuries. And no, we don't need another slasher (how's that been working in Miami and Cleveland these past few years?). We need shooters, not way past their prime "slashers" that are a risk to break their back when they drive to the basket. That is the only thing we lack at this point.

I think McGrady is a very good play-maker a decent scorer, but his body clearly can't handle the grind of an 82-game season. There are simply better options for the MLE.

[Sedale Threatt]

Shades of Bob McAdoo?

[what would jack bauer do?]

Yeah, pass on Tmac he can't hold anyone to save his life with that knee

[Slava]

Yeah, pass on Tmac he can't hold anyone to save his life with that knee

Someone also said that about Grant Hill.. but those trainers in Phoenix do practice some kind of black magic.

[crazy8ights]

HE OLD HELL NAW! NO THANKS

[KingLakers]

Miller would also be a good option this entire conversation may not matter because I think there still a good chance Shannon doesn't opt out.

[RJM]

Um...I think we can actually play him. Maybe for the first time ever...we play T-Mac at the position he's supposed to have played for years now....SF!

PG - Fisher/Crittenton/Farmar
SG - Bryant/Brown/Vujacic
SF - Artest/McGrady/Walton
PF - Gasol/Odom/Powell
C - Bynum/Gasol/Mbenga

[stunnar0b]

No thanks. There are better options out there for MLE-type money (Mike Miller, for example). McGrady hasn't been good for several years, and quite frankly, there is no real reason to believe he'll be healthy. Look at his games played over the past 5 seasons:

2005-06: 47
2006-07: 71
2007-08: 66
2008-09: 35
2009-10: 30

He hasn't played in the post-season since 2007-08 because of his injuries. And no, we don't need another slasher (how's that been working in Miami and Cleveland these past few years?). We need shooters, not way past their prime "slashers" that are a risk to break their back when they drive to the basket. That is the only thing we lack at this point.

I think McGrady is a very good play-maker a decent scorer, but his body clearly can't handle the grind of an 82-game season. There are simply better options for the MLE.

true but people were having the same but different feelings towards ron and like the article said he will be subjected to a lesser role with less punishment idk i would jump on it in a heart beat

[what would jack bauer do?]

Nah Grant Hill was pretty awesome in Orlando with Dwight. He's always been a good defender even after the injuries. Tmac can't even get into a defensive position anymore and he played in NY at half tempo all season, couldn't even sprint the floor.

[xkirruax]

Hmm how about if we get him then we trade sasha and Mem 2nd plus 3 mil for a s&t for Felton and go with this line up

Felton/Brown/Fisher/Vets Min #1
Kobe/Mcgrady/Brown/Vets Min #1
Artest/Mcgrady/Walton
Gasol/Odom/Vet Min #2
Bynum/Gasol/DJ