New York Post: WITHOUT A TRACY

[Chaplin]

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

I'm just wondering why you consistently ignore the PR angle in NBA trading proposals/deals. Granted, there are a few that are unpopular (Marbury for example). But at least the Suns still had Marion and Amare to keep fans--Orlando has absolutely nothing after McGrady. Like many say, the Orlando Magic is still a business--and how does that business suffer if they let TMac walk with only Grant Hill and a miniscule cap figure in return?

 

[Joe Mama]

Looking at the roster the Orlando Magic could easily set themselves up to have significant salary cap to spend in the summer of 2005 if they allowed Tracy McGrady to just walk. I'm not saying they would necessarily do it. I'm just saying it's something they could use as a threat. The way I look at it the magic do not need to trade Tracy McGrady this summer unless they get something they are happy with as an offer.

Joe Mama

 

[elindholm]

And what free agents better than Marion would agree to play for them? I haven't looked at any lists; I'm just wondering.

 

[Joe Mama]

And what free agents better than Marion would agree to play for them? I haven't looked at any lists; I'm just wondering.

I haven't looked at any lists lately either. I thought I remembered that the list of free agents next summer is more impressive than this year's. I know Michael Redd can opt out of his contract.

The thing about Orlando is that players want to go there. We aren't talking about Utah.

Joe Mama

 

[se7en]

I'm guessing this would be the same top tier talent that's been lining up to play with the Bulls, Clippers and Hawks the last few years. I agree. Orlando will have a hard time attracting quality free agent talent.

 

[George O'Brien]

A few weeks ago T-Mac was saying that he would try to work a "sign and trade" deal next year rather than just leave the Magic cold. Since only a few teams would have even close to enough cap space, this certainly expands his options quite a bit.

In any case, I think the Magic are just trying to prepare their fans for the inevitable even if they delay it a while. The big problem their fans will have is that the Magic are not in terribly good bargaining position.

 

[Joe Mama]

I'm guessing this would be the same top tier talent that's been lining up to play with the Bulls, Clippers and Hawks the last few years. I agree. Orlando will have a hard time attracting quality free agent talent.

The Chicago Bulls had trouble attracting free agents because players did not like the way they blew up Michael Jordan and that championship team. That was well-documented at the time. Also, they were competing for free agents with none other than the Orlando Magic.

The Clippers? You must be joking. They are the Arizona Cardinals of the NBA. This summer will probably be the first time they even go after top free agents (Kobe Bryant).

This will be the first year in some time that the Atlanta Hawks have had any money to spend on free agents.

Orlando is an attractive destination. We always talked about how people want to play for the Phoenix Suns because of the weather. Well, the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat have an even bigger advantage in this way. I also believe that Florida does not have a state sales tax which should save a big-time free agent a couple million dollars on a big contract.

I'm not sure where Grant Hill is at this time. Is it at all possible that his contract would come off the books earlier than expected because of injuries?

Joe Mama

 

[George O'Brien]

I'm not sure where Grant Hill is at this time. Is it at all possible that his contract would come off the books earlier than expected because of injuries?

Joe Mama

Hill has resisted the Magic attempts to declare him permanently out, which would cut his cap hit in half. He keeps claiming he is coming back, but no one really believes him.