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McGrady will not commit
BY JOHN DENTON
FLORIDA TODAY
ORLANDO -- Orlando Magic star guard Tracy McGrady has made up his mind. Barring franchise-altering acquisitions this summer, McGrady has no plans of signing a multi-year extension the team can offer starting in August.
And McGrady also went as far as saying that he could envision leaving the Magic if they endure another sour season similar to the one they are currently going through.
"I've got to wait and see what happens this summer and next season before I do anything," McGrady told Florida Today. "I don't necessarily want to be a free agent, but I've got to wait and see what changes are going to come around here. I just can't go through this again -- all this losing."
McGrady, 24, originally signed a seven-year, $92.88 million contract in July of 2000, but he can opt out of the contract after next season. The Magic can offer him an extension this summer worth $54 million over three years that would keep him in Orlando through the 2010 season. But if McGrady waits to opt out after next season, he can get a seven-year deal worth approximately $122 million. However, he runs the risk of the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement changing and there could be a push on to shorten the length of maximum contracts.
Whether the four-time all-star chooses to return to Orlando just might depend on the quality of this summer's acquisitions and the Magic's ability to do damage in the playoffs next season. McGrady entered Tuesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers tied for the NBA lead in scoring (27.4 points per game), but he has complained repeatedly about the lack of help he has had the past four seasons.
Magic general manager John Gabriel, who left Tuesday on a scouting mission through Europe, said Monday that he is confident Orlando can sufficiently upgrade its roster next season. In addition to possibly getting a healthy Grant Hill back, the Magic expect to have a high first-round draft pick and two second-round selections. Also, the Magic have a salary slot starting at approximately $5 million to offer a free agent.
"The ball is out of my hands now," McGrady said. "It's in management's hands now."
Lineup change: Magic coach Johnny Davis wasted little time getting newly acquired guard DeShawn Stevenson into the playing rotation, starting him Tuesday against the Blazers.
Stevenson, acquired Thursday in a trade with Utah for Gordan Giricek, played well in his first two games with the Magic, scoring 10 points against both Denver and Detroit. Davis has been so impressed with Stevenson that he's already worked him at point guard, shooting guard and small forward.
"That's fine with me," said Stevenson, who played some point guard in relief of John Stockton early in his career at Utah. "To me, it's just another way to get minutes and stay on the floor."
Stevenson replaced Keith Bogans, whose play has been in decline of late. Bogans scored just 29 points the past seven games and his defense, stellar when he was first moved into the starting lineup, had also fallen off of late.
Stevenson is the fifth player to start at small forward this season for the Magic. Britton Johnsen, Donnell Harvey, Bogans and Giricek are the others, with only Bogans still on the Magic's roster
McGrady will not commit
BY JOHN DENTON
FLORIDA TODAY
ORLANDO -- Orlando Magic star guard Tracy McGrady has made up his mind. Barring franchise-altering acquisitions this summer, McGrady has no plans of signing a multi-year extension the team can offer starting in August.
And McGrady also went as far as saying that he could envision leaving the Magic if they endure another sour season similar to the one they are currently going through.
"I've got to wait and see what happens this summer and next season before I do anything," McGrady told Florida Today. "I don't necessarily want to be a free agent, but I've got to wait and see what changes are going to come around here. I just can't go through this again -- all this losing."
McGrady, 24, originally signed a seven-year, $92.88 million contract in July of 2000, but he can opt out of the contract after next season. The Magic can offer him an extension this summer worth $54 million over three years that would keep him in Orlando through the 2010 season. But if McGrady waits to opt out after next season, he can get a seven-year deal worth approximately $122 million. However, he runs the risk of the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement changing and there could be a push on to shorten the length of maximum contracts.
Whether the four-time all-star chooses to return to Orlando just might depend on the quality of this summer's acquisitions and the Magic's ability to do damage in the playoffs next season. McGrady entered Tuesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers tied for the NBA lead in scoring (27.4 points per game), but he has complained repeatedly about the lack of help he has had the past four seasons.
Magic general manager John Gabriel, who left Tuesday on a scouting mission through Europe, said Monday that he is confident Orlando can sufficiently upgrade its roster next season. In addition to possibly getting a healthy Grant Hill back, the Magic expect to have a high first-round draft pick and two second-round selections. Also, the Magic have a salary slot starting at approximately $5 million to offer a free agent.
"The ball is out of my hands now," McGrady said. "It's in management's hands now."
Lineup change: Magic coach Johnny Davis wasted little time getting newly acquired guard DeShawn Stevenson into the playing rotation, starting him Tuesday against the Blazers.
Stevenson, acquired Thursday in a trade with Utah for Gordan Giricek, played well in his first two games with the Magic, scoring 10 points against both Denver and Detroit. Davis has been so impressed with Stevenson that he's already worked him at point guard, shooting guard and small forward.
"That's fine with me," said Stevenson, who played some point guard in relief of John Stockton early in his career at Utah. "To me, it's just another way to get minutes and stay on the floor."
Stevenson replaced Keith Bogans, whose play has been in decline of late. Bogans scored just 29 points the past seven games and his defense, stellar when he was first moved into the starting lineup, had also fallen off of late.
Stevenson is the fifth player to start at small forward this season for the Magic. Britton Johnsen, Donnell Harvey, Bogans and Giricek are the others, with only Bogans still on the Magic's roster
