George O'Brien
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Mixed signals
For all the speculation still swirling that Tracy McGrady will be available this summer, there are more signs that he won't be.
Magic general manager John Weisbrod keeps making noise about needing a commitment from McGrady that he will not opt out. But if he doesn't get it, Weisbrod isn't going to make dumping McGrady his first big move after replacing John Gabriel. McGrady cannot opt out of his contract until after the 2004-05 season, but Weisbrod has already talked with agent Arn Tellem.
"I've had conversations (with Tellem), and they have been very good," Weisbrod said. "I spoke with him pretty immediately when it (the ultimatum) became a public issue. They laughed that whole thing off. They've known where we stood on the issue, and we've known where they stood. We've resolved to stay in contact. I'm confident that one way or another this thing will get resolved before the end of the offseason.
"Right now, the most I could say to that is that our interest is getting to the bottom of it quickly and getting ourselves some guidance on how we should go about building our team," he said. "We need to know whether we're building it around him or not (which) is obviously a major consideration. It gives us a sense of urgency to see where he stands and what he's thinking."
McGrady has said he needs to see what the Magic will do to build a winner, but it won't take much to improve. McGrady is from Auburndale, Fla., about a 35-minute drive from Orlando, has family and friends at every home game and is building a 46,000-square-foot house just outside of Orlando.
"I want to win, man. I always wanted to be back playing at home, and I've gotten to do that," McGrady said. "But (if improvements this summer) don't happen, then I'll have to go somewhere else. I'll make sure the Magic are the first ones to know if I decide I have to go. I'll tell them it just isn't working out and maybe we can both gain something from it."
For all the speculation still swirling that Tracy McGrady will be available this summer, there are more signs that he won't be.
Magic general manager John Weisbrod keeps making noise about needing a commitment from McGrady that he will not opt out. But if he doesn't get it, Weisbrod isn't going to make dumping McGrady his first big move after replacing John Gabriel. McGrady cannot opt out of his contract until after the 2004-05 season, but Weisbrod has already talked with agent Arn Tellem.
"I've had conversations (with Tellem), and they have been very good," Weisbrod said. "I spoke with him pretty immediately when it (the ultimatum) became a public issue. They laughed that whole thing off. They've known where we stood on the issue, and we've known where they stood. We've resolved to stay in contact. I'm confident that one way or another this thing will get resolved before the end of the offseason.
"Right now, the most I could say to that is that our interest is getting to the bottom of it quickly and getting ourselves some guidance on how we should go about building our team," he said. "We need to know whether we're building it around him or not (which) is obviously a major consideration. It gives us a sense of urgency to see where he stands and what he's thinking."
McGrady has said he needs to see what the Magic will do to build a winner, but it won't take much to improve. McGrady is from Auburndale, Fla., about a 35-minute drive from Orlando, has family and friends at every home game and is building a 46,000-square-foot house just outside of Orlando.
"I want to win, man. I always wanted to be back playing at home, and I've gotten to do that," McGrady said. "But (if improvements this summer) don't happen, then I'll have to go somewhere else. I'll make sure the Magic are the first ones to know if I decide I have to go. I'll tell them it just isn't working out and maybe we can both gain something from it."
