It was widely believed that McGrady would be headed to Houston this morning in a trade for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato. But that deal hit a snag yesterday. Though he is under contract for several years and has no veto power over trades, Francis made it clear that he did not want to play in Orlando, causing the Magic to reconsider the trade.

Several league executives and player agents were baffled by Orlando's hesitation because Francis would have no choice but to play for the Magic.

"John Weisbrod is setting a bad precedent by caving in to this guy," one agent said, referring to Orlando's general manager and speaking on condition of anonymity.

Looking elsewhere, the Magic entered into serious discussions with Phoenix yesterday, and the Suns are offering Shawn Marion, the up-and-coming Joe Johnson and this year's first-round pick (seventh over all), for McGrady. That would give Orlando an All-Star small forward in Marion, a potential All-Star shooting guard in Johnson and the first and seventh picks in tomorrow's draft.

Indiana, which is willing to trade anyone on its roster besides Jermaine O'Neal, has been trying to engage Orlando in talks for McGrady, but the Magic has not been moved by any of its offers.

In the end, several league executives believe the trade with Houston, which would also send Tyronn Lue, Juwan Howard, Reece Gaines and possibly Andrew DeClerq to the Rockets, will eventually be made because McGrady is saying Houston is the only team he will stay with long term.

McGrady, who is able to opt out of his contract after next season, has great leverage because he can threaten to leave any team that trades for him after just one year. If the trade happens, it is believed the Magic might turn around and trade Francis.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/23/sports/basketball/23expansion.html

Looking elsewhere, the Magic entered into serious discussions with Phoenix yesterday, and the Suns are offering Shawn Marion, the up-and-coming Joe Johnson and this year's first-round pick (seventh over all), for McGrady.

they would be absolutely NUTS to pass up that deal in favor of the one from Houston...this can't be true.

there have also been reports that Indiana has offered Ron Artest, Jonathan Bender & Fred Jones for T-Mac as well...

maybe Orlando has plans to move Francis along to Indiana for Artest & filler?

Posted by raven:




It was widely believed that McGrady would be headed to Houston this morning in a trade for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato. But that deal hit a snag yesterday. Though he is under contract for several years and has no veto power over trades, Francis made it clear that he did not want to play in Orlando, causing the Magic to reconsider the trade.

Several league executives and player agents were baffled by Orlando's hesitation because Francis would have no choice but to play for the Magic.

"John Weisbrod is setting a bad precedent by caving in to this guy," one agent said, referring to Orlando's general manager and speaking on condition of anonymity.

Looking elsewhere, the Magic entered into serious discussions with Phoenix yesterday, and the Suns are offering Shawn Marion, the up-and-coming Joe Johnson and this year's first-round pick (seventh over all), for McGrady. That would give Orlando an All-Star small forward in Marion, a potential All-Star shooting guard in Johnson and the first and seventh picks in tomorrow's draft.

Indiana, which is willing to trade anyone on its roster besides Jermaine O'Neal, has been trying to engage Orlando in talks for McGrady, but the Magic has not been moved by any of its offers.

In the end, several league executives believe the trade with Houston, which would also send Tyronn Lue, Juwan Howard, Reece Gaines and possibly Andrew DeClerq to the Rockets, will eventually be made because McGrady is saying Houston is the only team he will stay with long term.

McGrady, who is able to opt out of his contract after next season, has great leverage because he can threaten to leave any team that trades for him after just one year. If the trade happens, it is believed the Magic might turn around and trade Francis.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/23/sports/basketball/23expansion.html

The times is wrong, the Suns aren't offering Marion, Johnson, and the 7th pick together for T-Mac. Instead the Suns are offering Shawn Marion, Casey Jacobsen, and the 7th pick or Joe Johnson for T-Mac.