Floriday Today: T-Mac: Magic need more than No. 1

[George O'Brien]

Floriday Today: T-Mac: Magic need more than No. 1 .

T-Mac: Magic need more than No. 1

Star eyes Spurs, Lakers if major changes not made

BY JOHN DENTON
FLORIDA TODAY

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- Success of any kind hasn't come too often for the Orlando Magic of late, so like many fans, star guard Tracy McGrady was delighted to see the franchise win Wednesday's NBA Draft Lottery.

Tracy McGrady puts on the moves against former Magic star Shaquille O'Neal. If McGrady isn't happy with next season's roster it is likely that he will move to one of the more dominating Western Conference teams. AP image.

But McGrady is also a realist and often brutally honest. On Thursday, he tempered the euphoria of the Magic securing the top overall pick by predicting that Orlando likely won't get a significant boost next season from either Emeka Okafor or Dwight Howard. Okafor, the shot-swatting power forward from the University of Connecticut, and Howard, the Atlanta teen star, are the players considered by most to be locks for the top two picks in the June 24th NBA Draft.

Having already endured a dreadful 21-61 season, McGrady told FLORIDA TODAY that he has no desire to go through a long-term rebuilding process or witness the growing pains of a kid making the leap from the preps to the pros. McGrady can opt out of his contract following next season, and says that he will have an answer as to his future in Orlando for the Magic brass by July.

He said he's "90 percent sure what he's going to do," adding that there are two teams -- the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs -- that he would like to play for if he decides to leave Orlando. He stressed that the deciding factor will be the Magic's ability to significantly upgrade the roster this summer via trades, free agency and the draft.

"The dilemma for the franchise is, 'Do you want to try and win now or wait two or three years for a guy to develop?' " McGrady said from his home in suburban Orlando. "I'm just saying, I'm not trying to wait that long to win. I was in that situation last year and I just can't see going another couple of years losing and waiting on players to develop. I just don't think I can do that.

"I just think that it would be best to go get a guy ready to fill a role and contribute right away."

In addition to having to decide between taking the player most ready to contribute right away (likely Okafor) or the player with the most superstar potential (likely Howard), Orlando must also weigh the worth of the pick in a possible trade. That scenario would be the most likely to appease McGrady, the NBA's scoring champion the past two seasons. McGrady has said repeatedly that the Magic need more established veterans if they are to rebound from this year's disastrous collapse and make a serious run at the playoffs next spring.

"I absolutely don't want to be in a situation like I was this season because that was terrible," said McGrady, referring to the Magic enduring a 19-game losing streak en route to compiling the NBA's worst record. "I love Orlando because it's home and I love the fans. They have been great to me. I don't want to leave and I'm sure a lot of them don't want me to leave either.

"But if we can't change the team this summer, I just think the best thing would be for me to move on."

Undoubtedly, that puts the pressure squarely on the shoulders of John Weisbrod, who is going through his first offseason as the team's general manager after replacing John Gabriel in March. Weisbrod has already held numerous talks with McGrady's agent, Arn Tellem, and has professed that the discussions have been successful.

He said that Wednesday's success in the lottery and McGrady's future are two separate entities that likely will have little bearing on each other.

"I don't think it has any relevance," Weisbrod said. "I have obviously had a lot of conversations with Arn Tellem over the last several weeks, and while I guess you can say that getting the first pick over the fifth pick is a good thing, nothing in our conversations has been about this process or the draft."

McGrady said an earlier report that he had given the Magic four teams he would accept a trade to was "half right." He has a close relationship with Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, his Isleworth neighbor in the summer. And he would be interested in playing with the Spurs because of the opportunity to play alongside of two-time MVP Tim Duncan.

McGrady informed Team USA coach Larry Brown on Wednesday that he was withdrawing from the Summer Olympics in Athens because of terrorism concerns. Kevin Garnett, Jason Kidd, Ray Allen, Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant have also pulled out because of various reasons. McGrady said that he was totally taken aback Thursday morning by reports that he was opting not to play because of a pending marriage.

"I woke up and read that in the papers and I was shocked," he said with a laugh. "Next thing I know, my girl is calling me and saying, 'I didn't know we were getting married.' . . . I just had concerns about the whole thing and decided to stay home and be safe."

Speaking of safe, the safe pick in the draft for the Magic might be Okafor. He led UConn to the national championship with his rebounding and defensive toughness on the low block. Okafor's positives include his three years of college experience, his smarts and his prowess at blocking shots. But some wonder if he can ever be more than a steady player because of concerns about his size, offensive skills and lingering back troubles.

Include McGrady in that group of doubters.

"From what I'm hearing, (Okafor) is really not 6-10 and he's more like 6-8," McGrady said. "Now, if he has the heart and determination like a Ben Wallace, it won't matter how tall he is. I'm not questioning the guy's ability, but there seems to be a lot of unknowns out there now."

 

[elindholm]

"From what I'm hearing, (Okafor) is really not 6-10 and he's more like 6-8," McGrady said. "... I'm not questioning the guy's ability, but there seems to be a lot of unknowns out there now."

Boy, he's really burning his bridges. If he stays with Orlando, he has already spoken skeptically about his new franchise teammate.

The thing about the Lakers and Spurs is a bluff. If he wants to leave Orlando, he's going to have to be more flexible than that.

 

[George O'Brien]

"From what I'm hearing, (Okafor) is really not 6-10 and he's more like 6-8," McGrady said. "... I'm not questioning the guy's ability, but there seems to be a lot of unknowns out there now."

Boy, he's really burning his bridges. If he stays with Orlando, he has already spoken skeptically about his new franchise teammate.

The thing about the Lakers and Spurs is a bluff. If he wants to leave Orlando, he's going to have to be more flexible than that.

If he wants to leave Orlando THIS YEAR.

BTW, If T-Mac is looking for a team that is one player from being a championship team, his options will be limited. Even the Suns don't qualify.

The Suns have a promising team, but Amare is not the superstar he should become a couple of years from now.

 

[elindholm]

If he wants to leave Orlando THIS YEAR.

The Magic will trade him if they know he's leaving. I don't think he has a no-trade clause.

BTW, If T-Mac is looking for a team that is one player from being a championship team, his options will be limited. Even the Suns don't qualify.

"Even" the Suns? No, of course they don't qualify. They are one of the worst teams in the league. They'd have to add two very good players just to compete for a top-four seed.

I still say it's a bluff. The few teams that are "one player away" either don't have the money or don't have the resources for a trade. McGrady is too early in his career to play for 1/3 as much money as he's eligible for.

 

[Joe Mama]

I still say it's a bluff. The few teams that are "one player away" either don't have the money or don't have the resources for a trade. McGrady is too early in his career to play for 1/3 as much money as he's eligible for.

There's no way is going to sign anywhere for the mid-level exception. He would be risking far too much. McGrady is going to get an extension or a new contract next summer for some were in the neighborhood of $120 million. With his history of injury problems it would be insane for him to sign somewhere next summer for the mid-level exception.

Orlando with not trade Tracy McGrady to San Antonio for a re-signed Ginobili. I'm not even sure how that would work since that should make Ginobili a BYC player. They would want Ginobili and Tony Parker, and I can't see San Antonio making that deal.

One interesting suitor might be the Indiana Pacers. They haven't been mentioned much in any of these articles, but they do have some interesting, young players they could trade. They would also provide McGrady with a destination where he would be competing for a championship each year.

Joe

 

[George O'Brien]

If he wants to leave Orlando THIS YEAR.

The Magic will trade him if they know he's leaving. I don't think he has a no-trade clause.

BTW, If T-Mac is looking for a team that is one player from being a championship team, his options will be limited. Even the Suns don't qualify.

"Even" the Suns? No, of course they don't qualify. They are one of the worst teams in the league. They'd have to add two very good players just to compete for a top-four seed.

I still say it's a bluff. The few teams that are "one player away" either don't have the money or don't have the resources for a trade. McGrady is too early in his career to play for 1/3 as much money as he's eligible for.

I used the term "even" because of the rumor that they were on his list.

BTW, I disagree with the claim that the Suns are "one of the worst teams in the league". I think they are roughly a 500 team that could compete for the playoffs if they could stay healthy.

The problem is that that the jump from 29 wins to 41 wins is not that big. The jump from 41 to 51, much less 61 is enormous. To get there, the Amare has to become a superstar, the Suns need a better than average center, and the team has to play great defense. I don't see that happening next season, with or without a superstar guard.

 

[elindholm]

I think they are roughly a 500 team that could compete for the playoffs if they could stay healthy.

Unfortunately, this is what almost every fan of every bad team thinks. Just frequent some other message boards toward the beginning of each season. Are all those fans right, or is there something special that separates the Suns from the other bad teams in the league?

 

[hcsilla]

Orlando with not trade Tracy McGrady to San Antonio for a re-signed Ginobili. I'm not even sure how that would work since that should make Ginobili a BYC player.

Players of teams under the cap won't become BYC players.

One interesting suitor might be the Indiana Pacers.

I agree.

Bender, Artest, Tinsley for T-Mac?

 

[George O'Brien]

I think they are roughly a 500 team that could compete for the playoffs if they could stay healthy.

Unfortunately, this is what almost every fan of every bad team thinks. Just frequent some other message boards toward the beginning of each season. Are all those fans right, or is there something special that separates the Suns from the other bad teams in the league?

Take away the period when Amare was injured and the Suns were not that far below 500. The problem is that 500 does little except get you swept in the first round.

 

[Joe Mama]

Take away the period when Amare was injured and the Suns were not that far below 500. The problem is that 500 does little except get you swept in the first round.

Yes, but the Phoenix Suns would have Amare Stoudemire, Tracy McGrady, JJ (assuming they were unwilling to trade him and Orlando made the deal anyhow), and a bunch of money to spend in free agency. If San Antonio traded for McGrady they would have Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, and Nesterovic.

Joe Mama

 

[devilalum]

How good is Okafor?

The Suns or any other team for that matter could probably get the #1 if they were willing to take Grant Hill.

How about Eisley for Hill and the #1. This may seem a little lopsided, I have a hard time gauging how desperate a team might be to get rid of a player like Hill and if it would be worth taking on such a burden to get the #1.

Would this trade give Orlando any cap room?

 

[fordronken]

Ginobilli would have to agree to a sign and trade to Orlando. Don't see that happening.

 

[Joe Mama]

How good is Okafor?

The Suns or any other team for that matter could probably get the #1 if they were willing to take Grant Hill.

How about Eisley for Hill and the #1. This may seem a little lopsided, I have a hard time gauging how desperate a team might be to get rid of a player like Hill and if it would be worth taking on such a burden to get the #1.

Would this trade give Orlando any cap room?

There's absolutely no way the Phoenix Suns are going to take Grant Hill's contract. It took giving away a Marbury to get Penny Hardaway off the Suns books, and he was a decent contributor. Grant Hill is doing nothing, and he has three years and $47 million left on his contract. It would probably take Tracy McGrady and the #1 draft pick to get rid of Grant Hill's contract.

Ginobilli would have to agree to a sign and trade to Orlando. Don't see that happening.

not when there are a handful of better options out there for him. Orlando would have to grossly overcompensate him. At that point the deal makes no sense.

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

Yes, but the Phoenix Suns would have Amare Stoudemire, Tracy McGrady, JJ (assuming they were unwilling to trade him and Orlando made the deal anyhow), and a bunch of money to spend in free agency. If San Antonio traded for McGrady they would have Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, and Nesterovic.

Joe Mama

Almost any deal for T-Mac that does not include JJ, Amare, or Lampe is likely to be a winnter. However, the question Eric was posing related to whether the Suns look like a potential championship team or just the "second worst team in the West".

My feeling is that Suns are in the middle. They have the potential to make the playoffs next season and get to 50 wins or so the following season. Beyond that, it requires some of the young players to get A LOT BETTER.

Adding T-Mac gets the Suns to 50 a lot quicker. But to get beyond, the Suns face the same issue - their younger players have to get a lot better. Would T-Mac want to wait in Phoenix if he wasn't willing to wait in Orlando?

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Comparing the young Suns players and the young Orlando players is ridiculous. JJ and Amare are definitely worth more than the entire Orlando roster, and even with Okafor, Orlando still has a bunch of role players. The Suns have the other superstar, Amare, that can take TMac to the next level.

 

[George O'Brien]

Adding T-Mac gets the Suns to 50 a lot quicker. But to get beyond, the Suns face the same issue - their younger players have to get a lot better. Would T-Mac want to wait in Phoenix if he wasn't willing to wait in Orlando?

Comparing the young Suns players and the young Orlando players is ridiculous. JJ and Amare are definitely worth more than the entire Orlando roster, and even with Okafor, Orlando still has a bunch of role players. The Suns have the other superstar, Amare, that can take TMac to the next level.

But they only had 29 wins...

Seriously, I think the Suns have the players to get to the elite level, but it is hardly a sure thing. If Lampe develops into the kind of center he has the talent to become, JJ makes the next step to becoming a star, Shawn learns to play man defense, and someone learns to run the point - they have a shot once Amare becomes a superstar.

What happens with Lampe will be huge. He has the talent to become a top 10 center in terms of scoring and rebounding. The question is whether he will live up to his potential, because if he doesn't, the Suns are not going to do well. McDyess and Voskuhl would be fine backups, but the Suns need a real center to have a shot at the championship. It is a really, really old story in Phoenix.

 

[elindholm]

However, the question Eric was posing related to whether the Suns look like a potential championship team or just the "second worst team in the West".... They have the potential to make the playoffs next season and get to 50 wins or so the following season.

I think I didn't make my point clear. If you ask fans of the other lottery teams, they'll all say the same thing. They have potential, they need time to gel, they need one more role player in the draft, whatever.

Maybe it's true and maybe it isn't. But if every bad team can make the claim that they are "almost" good, then that standard can no longer be used to differentiate among bad teams. And that puts us back where we started.

 

[Joe Mama]

However, the question Eric was posing related to whether the Suns look like a potential championship team or just the "second worst team in the West".... They have the potential to make the playoffs next season and get to 50 wins or so the following season.

I think I didn't make my point clear. If you ask fans of the other lottery teams, they'll all say the same thing. They have potential, they need time to gel, they need one more role player in the draft, whatever.

Maybe it's true and maybe it isn't. But if every bad team can make the claim that they are "almost" good, then that standard can no longer be used to differentiate among bad teams. And that puts us back where we started.

I'm quickly falling off the McGrady bandwagon, but I would say that if they could acquire him without giving up much more than Shawn Marion and the draft pick a would be in a much better position than the other lottery teams. That is because they would have a very nice young team and $10 million to spend in free agency.

However I don't believe the Orlando Magic would be willing to trade McGrady for Shawn Marion and the #7. I know longer would be willing to give up Shawn Marion and JJ for him. His history of injuries, the big salary he is going to command coupled with those injuries, and his lame attitude have turned me off.

Joe

 

[elindholm]

If any of the lottery teams got McGrady in a good trade, it would give them a leg up on the others. So I agree that Phoenix would be better if that were to happen, but that's not the same as saying that they're better now.

The cap room is great, but I think we're all anxious to see how it gets spent. If the Suns bring in overpriced, mediocre talent, then the cap room won't have done them any good at all. Any team in the league can get overpriced, mediocre talent if they want it.

 

[Joe Mama]

If any of the lottery teams got McGrady in a good trade, it would give them a leg up on the others. So I agree that Phoenix would be better if that were to happen, but that's not the same as saying that they're better now.

The cap room is great, but I think we're all anxious to see how it gets spent. If the Suns bring in overpriced, mediocre talent, then the cap room won't have done them any good at all. Any team in the league can get overpriced, mediocre talent if they want it.

I don't think there's another team in the lottery that could possibly acquire McGrady and keep talent like Amare Stoudemire and JJ. I agree that the salary cap space will be overrated if it is poorly spent, but I would think that one would consider a team with those pieces and $10 million in salary cap to spend as having better potential then the other lottery teams.

What are we arguing here anyhow?

When it's absolutely 100% certain that Kobe Bryant isn't coming to Phoenix I don't think I'll really know what I want them to do this summer. I definitely know that I don't want them to pay big money to get Okur though. I just wish this thing would get rolling.

Joe Mama

 

[elindholm]

What are we arguing here anyhow?

I said, "(The Suns) are one of the worst teams in the league," and someone else wanted to argue that they aren't because they have the "potential" to be good soon.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

What are we arguing here anyhow?

I said, "(The Suns) are one of the worst teams in the league," and someone else wanted to argue that they aren't because they have the "potential" to be good soon.

Define "One of the worst...." are we talking bottom seven? (draft pick level), bottom 5, or possibly bottom 10? I can make an argument against any of those. (Going to the bottom of the Grand Canyon though, so I will have plenty of time to formulate a response)

 

[elindholm]

I'm not going to get into that. It was an idle comment in the context of a larger conversation.

Let's say one of the 29 worst.