tkf wrote:

Nalod wrote:Tracy is 30. Will be 31 next season.

I don't know a thing about how his health other than the last two seasons he has been well rested and could be a support talent in the future. His days of carrying a franchise on his back are done but somtimes players lower the bar a bit and get healthy. Anyone think Grant Hill would be as durable the last few years?

McGrady should get with the Lakers and grab a ring but while no savior, he could be a nice player if the Lebron don't come.

Key is dumping JJ's salary in any trade.

good point... sort of reminds me of how ron harper extended his career playing Point for the bulls and lakers.. He wasn't the high flying athlete he once was, but became a steading force at guard for both teams, and a very solid defender.... I think T-mac has more gas in the tank... a lot more than harper did.. I just fear he will come here looking to promote his career and nothing else.. I just don't want another Al Harrington on offense..

tkf, the guy already said that is agenda. That is the main reason why the Rockets are moving him. He is looking to get major minutes with his future contract in mind.

"I don't think the explosiveness was there," Adelman said. "He didn't get to the basket like he used to, he didn't have that first step where he could blow by people. It wasn't unexpected to me, but we don't know what timetable he has or if it's going to come back. "When McGrady's camp pressed Monday for firm promises about when his playing time would be extended -- McGrady has averaged just 7.7 minutes in his six appearances this season -- sources say that the Rockets were not prepared to make any such commitments, leading both sides to conclude that combining their efforts to try to facilitate a trade was the best option.

"Tracy is now healthy and is looking forward to contributing to a team this season," Tellem said in a statement on Tuesday. "He is an incredible talent and a relentless competitor; any team will be most fortunate to have him."

djsunyc wrote:if gallo + chandler are (in theory) being developed as your 2 + 3 for the future so what role does tmac play?

no need to justify a move for mcgrady. that, imho, would be a departure from their plan and a sign of panic.

I actually think with MDA's is thinking of putting T-Mac as a point forward and going out with a classic PG. T-Mac, Mayor, Gallo, DLee and add whoever is left.

Houston wanted Jordan Hill. Donnie said no.

Now, if we were dumping salary in this deal. Such as Nate, Harrington, JEFFRIES, Hill --- and we got back TMacs expiring?

Walsh shat the bed.

Why? Because who would you rather have this summer. LeBron and Jordan Hill and Jeffries - or LeBron and Bosh?

For that is what it boils down to. Also, if we CAN make room for two max salary players the chances LeBron comes here double easily.

"Hey, LeBron, come to NYC, and tell us who of Wade, Bosh, etc you want us to sign for you to play with!"

Versus

"Hey, LeBron, Jordan Hill is here, come play with Hill and Jared Jeffries!"

Know what I am saying? That's why giving up Chandler or Hill to dump Jeffries is a MUST RISK MOVE.

Sure, Hill or Chandler could go on to have good careers for another team - BUT - I'd rather have LBJ and Wade or Bosh --- than just Jordan Hill and Jared Jeffries.

Markji wrote:

If that scenario were guaranteed, then yes. But it isn't.

Well, of course, that goes without saying and if we strike out in 2010 and look at 2011 as the chance to land a top player - then sure in this scenario we then simply wasted Chandler or Hill to dump a salary that was going to expire in time for us to make moves anyway.

So, of course there are risks involved.

It's a risk worth taking though. We must clear Jeffries off the cap. Doing so increases our chances of offseason success double.

Luring just one free agent is tough. But if you can lure two then your chances increase greatly because you're telling these guys "Hey we're going to pair you with another one of the top players in the game!"

It makes their decisions to uproot that much easier.

Versus one guy taking our money but then still being tasked to carry a pretty mediocre roster. Which could cause him to decide otherwise.

Whereas you got two, now it's easier to say "Damn, I'm LeBron, and I can pair up with bosh or wade in NYC? I'm there!"

So, again there are risks in using assets to drop Jeffries. But the potential reward would be huge.

Pharzeone wrote:

tkf wrote:

Nalod wrote:Tracy is 30. Will be 31 next season.

I don't know a thing about how his health other than the last two seasons he has been well rested and could be a support talent in the future. His days of carrying a franchise on his back are done but somtimes players lower the bar a bit and get healthy. Anyone think Grant Hill would be as durable the last few years?

McGrady should get with the Lakers and grab a ring but while no savior, he could be a nice player if the Lebron don't come.

Key is dumping JJ's salary in any trade.

good point... sort of reminds me of how ron harper extended his career playing Point for the bulls and lakers.. He wasn't the high flying athlete he once was, but became a steading force at guard for both teams, and a very solid defender.... I think T-mac has more gas in the tank... a lot more than harper did.. I just fear he will come here looking to promote his career and nothing else.. I just don't want another Al Harrington on offense..

tkf, the guy already said that is agenda. That is the main reason why the Rockets are moving him. He is looking to get major minutes with his future contract in mind.

"I don't think the explosiveness was there," Adelman said. "He didn't get to the basket like he used to, he didn't have that first step where he could blow by people. It wasn't unexpected to me, but we don't know what timetable he has or if it's going to come back. "When McGrady's camp pressed Monday for firm promises about when his playing time would be extended -- McGrady has averaged just 7.7 minutes in his six appearances this season -- sources say that the Rockets were not prepared to make any such commitments, leading both sides to conclude that combining their efforts to try to facilitate a trade was the best option.

"Tracy is now healthy and is looking forward to contributing to a team this season," Tellem said in a statement on Tuesday. "He is an incredible talent and a relentless competitor; any team will be most fortunate to have him."

To make it worse, Houston is really fighting for a playoff spot. They have fallen to 9th place (4 and 6 over the past 10 games).

Bottom line: Houston is NOT in a good bargaining position. Washington is. We are in the middle and can help make it happen. But we aren't really a critical piece.
Houston needs help/players/Butler and Hayward to make the playoffs. They have to do the deal.

They can just let TMac expire, or buy him out after the trade deadline. But that is the worst case scenario for everyone. Houston should grab this trade and be happy and we don't need to give up Hill or Chandler.

Marv wrote:

Knixkik wrote:I honestly think if we get McGrady we can make a late run at the playoffs. Also, going into this summer, our team would look much more attractive having Lee and McGrady on the roster. We may have a hard time resigning both and still a max FA, but we still have a shot to deal Jeffries at some point, and if worst comes to worst, and we really want to resign McGrady, we can always look at trades for some of our young players. More than likely that won't happen, but i think McGrady would do well paired with a star FA, regardless of which one. Ideal trade deadline would be a deal for McGrady and a deal for an expiring PG, such as Blake, Ridnour, or even rookie Augustine. And of course using Jeffries in one of the deal would be perfect.

i don't think playing with mcgrady is looked at as a plus. the buzz the last few years has been that he holds yao back from getting nearly as many touches as he should. Their crazy winning streak the other year came with mcgrady mostly out with injury I believe.

jimimou wrote:lol at what i bolded - walsh gettin' his trade ideas from the media....

Walsh not just flirting with T-Mac
By MARC BERMAN

Last Updated: 7:06 AM, February 12, 2010

Knicks president Donnie Walsh said a misperception exists that his interest in the Rockets' Tracy McGrady is solely as a rental to inject life into a dying season.

"There's reasons other than that," Walsh told The Post.

Walsh declined to specify, but a source said the Knicks would like to see if McGrady is someone to consider re-signing in July. At least they'd have a fallback candidate if McGrady excels and they are unable to land one of the top free agents, LeBron James or Dwyane Wade.

The other four top free-agent candidates are Joe Johnson, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer and Amar'e Stoudemire. McGrady once was considered in those players' class before microfracture surgery on his left knee last year.

"I think he's a very good player," Walsh said. "The microfracture surgery is a concern for everybody. But he's a good player. . . . I've been realistic about these first two years and I'm not doing this for immediate satisfaction."

Walsh said the rumors of serious talks between the Rockets, Knicks and Wizards on a three-team trade have been inflated. Walsh said he first heard the three-team scenario through a media report. Since then, Walsh has contacted the Wizards and Rockets to find out if they were speaking about a potential three-way deal.

In addition, Walsh said he has other irons in the fire. The club is exploring Nate Robinson's trade value. If the Knicks trade Robinson, they would open playing time for rookie Toney Douglas if they go to a youth movement.

Another source said the Rockets are talking to several teams, but nothing is close to being done on any front. The source said Al Harrington is the lone lock in a three-way deal and he would wind up in Washington.

McGrady is working out with trainer Tim Grover in Chicago.

"I definitely think he'll be moved, I just don't know where," Grover said. He added that several teams have called him about McGrady, but he hasn't spoken to the Knicks.

marc.berman@nypost.com

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/walsh_not_just_flirting_with_mac_m0ymGRrcGedh42ZwTx3uAL#ixzz0fKTOrXvz

ha!!

donnie's got the life.

"get the F out of here you a**holes!!! and don't wake me unless the papers say we're in some trade!!"

iSergio wrote:

Knicks president Donnie Walsh said a misperception exists that his interest in the Rockets' Tracy McGrady is solely as a rental to inject life into a dying season.

"There's reasons other than that," Walsh told The Post.

Walsh declined to specify, but a source said the Knicks would like to see if McGrady is someone to consider re-signing in July. At least they'd have a fallback candidate if McGrady excels and they are unable to land one of the top free agents, LeBron James or Dwyane Wade.

Yeah Donnie, Tracy McGrady is really going to make it up for losing out on LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Is he freaking serious?!

Please point out the actual quote where Donnie Walsh said that.

TMac is a good passer with good height which helps his court vision. I'd feel more comfortable with the ball in his hands than in Duhon's!

crzymdups wrote:

Uptown wrote:

iSergio wrote:

Knicks president Donnie Walsh said a misperception exists that his interest in the Rockets' Tracy McGrady is solely as a rental to inject life into a dying season.

"There's reasons other than that," Walsh told The Post.

Walsh declined to specify, but a source said the Knicks would like to see if McGrady is someone to consider re-signing in July. At least they'd have a fallback candidate if McGrady excels and they are unable to land one of the top free agents, LeBron James or Dwyane Wade.

Yeah Donnie, Tracy McGrady is really going to make it up for losing out on LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Is he freaking serious?!

Please point out the actual quote where Donnie Walsh said that.

i think it's more actually like TMac, if he looks good, could be a talented sidekick to whichever super free agent we wind up signing. it's a gamble, but at this point it's not a huge one. what do we have to lose?

Isergio made it seem like Tmac is the back up plan in case we lose out on Lebron which I dont think is the case. No where in that article does Waslh actaully say Tmac is the back-up plan for Lebron. I think Tmac will/can be used as the second piece to play alongside Lebron but hopefully at an affordable rate.