New York Post: WITHOUT A TRACY

[George O'Brien]

New York Post: WITHOUT A TRACY

Peter Vecsey

May 14, 2004 -- LOS ANGELES - For some reason, team executives expect Tracy McGrady to notify Magic management within the week of his plans regarding the escape clause in his contract. My source maintains he won't divulge his decision until after The Finals.

But I'm here today to tell you McGrady positively plans to opt out at the end of next season. "That's a fair assumption," allows the same source. Meaning, the bidding for his hallowed services is about to commence. As soon as Magic management is convinced its solitary treasure is prepared to abscond next July, and the danger of losing him without compensation is as real as it gets, Orlando operators will be standing by to inventory all gracious offers.

In fact, management already is being deluged with calls from other teams. The media, of course, already is throwing out unconfirmed proposals. One such report has the Suns ready to swap Olympian Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson and a No. 1 pick for McGrady.

"It's not anything close to that, I can assure you that," my source declares. "The Suns aren't willing to do any deal other than Marion straight up. Johnson is not and will not be included."

At this point, the trade stuff is moot, anyway. Naturally, just about every team in the league is expected to submit legit propositions, but, until McGrady specifies which team or teams he'd consider committing to long-term, we're all just wishing and guessing.

 

[Ryanwb]

You've lowered yourself to use Peter Vecey as a source?

 

[Mojo]

Ptere Vescay was the first person to rumor Marbury for Kidd

 

[George O'Brien]

You've lowered yourself to use Peter Vecey as a source?

Moi? Actually I just post what people say about the Suns, but it does confirm what we've figured which is that the rumored deal including JJ made little sense. Marion, the #7, and a backup like Jacobsen is about as high as the Suns can go without leaving too big a hole. Can you really see Carbakapa as the Suns starting SF on a team trying to get into the playoffs?

 

[slinslin]

Peter Vecsey talks a lot but he has been the first guy to break down future trades pretty often. He definately has sources.

 

[Chaplin]

Marion for McGrady straight up doesn't even work in the CBA, does it?

Who is Vecsey's source? I wish these "sources" actually knew something about the business of basketball.

 

[elindholm]

Marion for McGrady straight up doesn't even work in the CBA, does it?

It does after July 1, because the Suns will be under the cap and could take on additional salary in a trade.

Even if someone with the Suns did say that Marion straight-up was the maximum offer, that's all just posturing at this point. I expect some discussions are taking place, with each side starting with an offer biased in their favor. Pretty much like any negotiation.

 

[Chaplin]

Marion for McGrady straight up doesn't even work in the CBA, does it?

It does after July 1, because the Suns will be under the cap and could take on additional salary in a trade.

That's right. I'm so used to the Suns being over the cap, I forgot about that.

 

[George O'Brien]

They would have to wait until after July 1st for the deal to work for several reasons. That is when Marion comes off the base year and it is when the Suns pick up cap space.

 

[F-Dog]

At this point, the trade stuff is moot, anyway. Naturally, just about every team in the league is expected to submit legit propositions, but, until McGrady specifies which team or teams he'd consider committing to long-term, we're all just wishing and guessing.

 

[playstation]

hahaha! that last sentence could be the biggest in the whole deal.

if tmac WANTS to come here (which he may, given we have a chance to get his good friend kb here), what are they going to do? they'll HAVE to take marion! we might throw in #1pick, andsomeone like a jacobson/voskuhl as goodwill, but really no offers matter at all because all are contingent that tmac says "don't worry, i'll commit long term to you" (otherwise why would a team give up a ton of their talent for 1 yr w/ tmac?).

the point of all this is that the type of trade offer is damn near irrelevant. wherever tmac says he will go is where hes going to go.

 

[George O'Brien]

hahaha! that last sentence could be the biggest in the whole deal.

if tmac WANTS to come here (which he may, given we have a chance to get his good friend kb here), what are they going to do? they'll HAVE to take marion! we might throw in #1pick, andsomeone like a jacobson/voskuhl as goodwill, but really no offers matter at all because all are contingent that tmac says "don't worry, i'll commit long term to you" (otherwise why would a team give up a ton of their talent for 1 yr w/ tmac?).

the point of all this is that the type of trade offer is damn near irrelevant. wherever tmac says he will go is where hes going to go.

Within reason. If he wanted to go to Atlanta (yeh, right), Orlando would be better off just waiting a year than to accept the junk available from them.

Realistically, the Magic are screwed no matter they do. They will not get full value for T-Mac because it will inevitably be an uneven trade.

 

[slinslin]

Are you sure that the Suns will be under the cap on July 1st?

I thought it was June 1st because that is when teams and players have to decide about team options, players options etc?

Marion's BYC doesn't matter as long as we are under the cap and it expires at some point his offseason too.

 

[elindholm]

I could have the date wrong. I've seen July 1 posted here a lot, but maybe it's June 1.

I'm not sure it matters. Big trades won't happen until the draft or just afterward anyway.

 

[Chaplin]

I could have the date wrong. I've seen July 1 posted here a lot, but maybe it's June 1.

I'm not sure it matters. Big trades won't happen until the draft or just afterward anyway.

I think July 1st as a date is only significant for the opening of the free agent negotiation period. Maybe someone else can confirm?

 

[George O'Brien]

I could have the date wrong. I've seen July 1 posted here a lot, but maybe it's June 1.

I'm not sure it matters. Big trades won't happen until the draft or just afterward anyway.

I've always thought it was July 1st because that is the deadline on starting negotiations with free agents. June 1st seems awkward because the playoffs aren't done then.

 

[slinslin]

Would anyone trade Shawn Marion , Jahidi White, Howard Eisley for TMac and Grant Hill?

Not sure how that would affect our chances to sign Vujanic and resign McDyess.

We would probably have very little capspace left after adding in our first round pick as well.

 

[Chaplin]

Would anyone trade Shawn Marion , Jahidi White, Howard Eisley for TMac and Grant Hill?

Not sure how that would affect our chances to sign Vujanic and resign McDyess.

We would probably have very little capspace left after adding in our first round pick as well.

I get really nervous whenever Grant Hill is mentioned. He has the same amount of years that TMac has on his contract, but is there a team option? I'm guessing there isn't, and there probably is a player option.

However, I have given up any type of hope that Grant Hill will play in the NBA again.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Peter Vecsey talks a lot but he has been the first guy to break down future trades pretty often. He definately has sources.

Yeah, like a few years ago when he spread the rumor about the Suns trading for Patrick Ewing...



Mike

 

[Chaplin]

Yeah, like a few years ago when he spread the rumor about the Suns trading for Patrick Ewing...



Mike

Was he the one who first started the whole Scottie Pippen merry-go-round of rumors?

 

[George O'Brien]

Would anyone trade Shawn Marion , Jahidi White, Howard Eisley for TMac and Grant Hill?

Not sure how that would affect our chances to sign Vujanic and resign McDyess.

We would probably have very little capspace left after adding in our first round pick as well.

Marion 11.3
White 5.8
Eisley 6.4
Total 23.5

McGrady 14.5
Hill 14.5
Total 29.0

Hill has three more years on his contract. I'm not sure I'd do it even if they included Okafor.

 

[elindholm]

Would anyone trade Shawn Marion , Jahidi White, Howard Eisley for TMac and Grant Hill?

I wouldn't even consider that for the Suns. McGrady is already an injury risk and Hill is done, so there's a big danger that the Suns would wind up with $30+ million per year of nothing.

We've been through that already with Hardaway and Gugliotta. No thank you.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Peter Vecsey talks a lot but he has been the first guy to break down future trades pretty often. He definately has sources.

He is just like Gambo. Both are morons, but somehow the bastards get things right. Kind of irritating.

Sam Smith on the otherhand, he is just worthless.

 

[Joe Mama]

hahaha! that last sentence could be the biggest in the whole deal.

if tmac WANTS to come here (which he may, given we have a chance to get his good friend kb here), what are they going to do? they'll HAVE to take marion! we might throw in #1pick, andsomeone like a jacobson/voskuhl as goodwill, but really no offers matter at all because all are contingent that tmac says "don't worry, i'll commit long term to you" (otherwise why would a team give up a ton of their talent for 1 yr w/ tmac?).

the point of all this is that the type of trade offer is damn near irrelevant. wherever tmac says he will go is where hes going to go.

This just isn't true. The Orlando Magic have until next year's trading deadline to get something good in return for Tracy McGrady. If I was their general manager. Depending on what they do this summer Orlando could have some decent salary to spend next summer if they allow McGrady to just walk. If I am their GM I would rather do that than take Shawn Marion and his maximum contract.

They might not yet fair market value for a superstar like McGrady, but he Orlando Magic do not necessarily have to take just anything in return.

Joe Mama

 

[elindholm]

If I am their GM I would rather do that than take Shawn Marion and his maximum contract.

Boy, I don't know about that. Because of Grant Hill, they're never going to have a great salary situation. So they're better off getting a good player than having a miniscule useful payroll and no ability to attract talent.