T-Mac?? Yeah or Nah?

[Banks2Pierce]

For the record, Ainge has always loved T-Mac. I remember him going out of his way in interviews to call T-Mac one of the few superstars in the league a few years ago.

[campybatman]

No way I do this trade with Sacramento if this were the trade. Too many "bad" contracts coming back. I mean Udrith and Nocioni would be overpaid backups on Houston. They already have Brooks and Battier and Ariza.

I can't see Houston buying him out as much as they'll prefer to trade him. I say, trading him to New York is their best bet. I'm surprised that the inclusion of Jeffries is a deal breaker for any team when you consider that his contract is for somewhat less than Eddy Curry's. Be glad New York isn't trying to foist him on you.

As far as Boston is concern, I would only have an interest in McGrady if he were bought out and even then I don't really have an interest in him. Boston needs a backup point guard and center (since neither R. Wallace or G. Davis rebound much or is apt to score inside) more than an aging scorer like McGrady or Iverson.

There are no imminent trades, but rival teams say the Rockets are willing to take back long-term money for the right trade with McGrady. Sources say they’ve shown an interest in Sacramento Kings shooting guard Kevin Martin, but the Kings want to see him play with rookie Tyreke Evans once Martin returns from a broken wrist in January. The Kings would likely want the Rockets to take Beno Udrith and Andres Nocioni with Kenny Thomas’ expiring deal, but none of that is happening.

“I’ve got to be careful because our team is on kind of a bubble,” Adelman said. “If we start changing the rotation, we start changing the way we play, it changes the whole chemistry of the team.”

McGrady, 30, is a two-time scoring champ, a seven–time All-Star, and he’s assuredly on a dramatic decline. Like most great players, he’s the last to see it. He still believes he can work his way back into a good, useful player for the Rockets this season. It won’t happen. To think that they’ll come out of this meeting with Adelman agreeing to give McGrady minutes is pure foolery.

The possibility of a contract buyout isn’t expected to be addressed now with McGrady’s agent, because there’s just no motivation for Houston to give him one until the trade deadline passes in February. Unless, of course, T-Mac is willing to give back several million dollars to become a free agent now.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=a ... &type=lgns

[bc legends]

Looks like they're officially seeking a trade:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4777423

The Houston Rockets have granted Tracy McGrady an indefinite leave from the team and will work with his representatives to find a new home for the seven-time All-Star via trade, according to sources close to the process.

Sources told ESPN.com on Monday that phone discussions between Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, coach Rick Adelman and one of McGrady's agents, Arn Tellem, led to an agreement that both sides would work together in pursuit of a palatable trade before the league's annual trading deadline on Feb. 18.

The Rockets, sources said, are adamant about not buying out the remainder of McGrady's $23 million expiring contract and enabling him to become a free agent during the season. Yet, they also remain unprepared to promise the extended minutes McGrady has been seeking.

Sources said the sides agreed Monday that the best compromise is letting McGrady leave the team to work out on his own in hopes that a deal can be struck and so his teammates and coaches will be spared from the distraction of daily questions about McGrady's status.

[Kids Are Alright]

In the off chance that the Rockets buy him out, i think we should be all over signing him. It would probably entail cutting Giddens, but IMO the possible reward of this move would far outweigh the risk. Remember this was a guy that as recently as 3 or so years ago was a better player than Ray or Paul.

Bull, not three years ago IMO, scoring machine yes, assist machine no, defensive player, forget it.

[threrf23]

I am slightly torn, but I'm inclined to say "nah," and I'm usually one to support such ideas. He has been perpetually hampered by injuries, and over the years declines in certain statistical categories would indicate that even before his latest injury, his knees had declined a bit more than it had seemed.

Then you consider the low minutes Adelman is giving him, and plans to give him. Adelman has his spoken reasons which have nothing to do with the status of his health, but rather keeping a rotation intact and slowly finding out where T-Mac fits into the rotations. You have to think of the unspoken motivations as well though...I mean do you really think that the Rockets are so concerned with the "distraction" of fielding questions regarding his playing time? A lot of the time, distractions like that are encouraged as they distract the media and not the team itself. Strikes me as too much risk to disrupt chemistry.

But then, you have to consider that his contract is expiring. That means low risk as far as the future is concerned.

But lastly....I'd rather see the C's making a play for Kevin Martin...

[greenbeans]

nay

[GuyClinch]

Then you consider the low minutes Adelman is giving him, and plans to give him. Adelman has his spoken reasons which have nothing to do with the status of his health, but rather keeping a rotation intact and slowly finding out where T-Mac fits into the rotations

If T-Mac was the player he used to be he would be able to force Adelman to give him minutes. Good players demand minutes or their coach quickly gets fired. The fact that he is getting token TA when he is out of the rotation kinda minutes should set alarm bells off. Rick Adelman is not a stupid coach.. Obviously something is wrong with T-Mac.

Best case scenario its like adding a Antione Walker type to the team at this point - I kid you not look at his numbers last year..at basketball-reference.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... atr01.html

Injuries - and not age are the real reason most guys decline. Granted these factors are related to some extent but we have seen tons of guys fade early because of knee injuries. We are lucky to have two guards/SF types that have largely avoided very serious injury thus far..

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

Doc still might hold a grudge due to the fact that T-Mac quit on him in Orlando the year he got fired.

Speakin of which, I highly doubt we'd see Orlando sign McGrady. I imagine their fans would still be salty over the fact that he wanted out of there when the team started losing.

[realfung]

lol, I say no, cause you guys already have a go-guy in Pierce, you guys don't need the headache.

T-Mac is for struggling teams who want a relief in salary next year and definitely no hope this season like GSW, T-wolves, Jersey and NY.

[DumbyTheWizard]

A 100% Mac is a better player the Ray Allen, but he will never be 100% again so I wouldnt swap RA for him.

And we dont have any other way to get him. If he gets bought out then SURE OMG OMG!!!!111 It would be insanly awsome to get him...

[TonyMontana]

Rockets will let him expire if they can't find a trade. They don't want to let him go to a competitor (they're in the playoff hunt, it's not like the Clippers letting Cassell go) and most of his contract is covered by insurance anyways. We have nothing to move for him. No way do we give up Ray. He's not an option.

Ya I think thats whats going to happen. Think about why would you give up so much to get a guy that hasnt done ish, has been injured, isnt willing to except his failures and now is demanding a trade. Any G.M with a bit of common sense isnt going to help the Rockets. Also I highly doubt any team from the W/C is going to trade their talent within the same conference.

Plus why trade for Tmac when he is basically done in Houston. He is in his final season of his contract, he cant play, he's always injured, he hasnt contributed jack in the past 4 or 5 years. Who in their right mind is going to give up talent for this guy. Okay so they get an expiring contract, but then what?

Every team is going to let the Tmac train roll and wait to see where it ends up and I have feeling it will end up in Orlando right where he started with his cousin Vince. But I cant even see how Orlando has any use for him. Do you really think that Vince wants to be in the same conversation as Tmac. Imagine how big their heads were before and now they got to share the ball again with Howard and Lewis.......

This is going to be another Strawberry part II remake.