Aaron McKie Caught By Surprise

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>ATLANTA - This was very early in the season, when Kobe Bryant seemed to be all but demanding to be traded by the Los Angeles Lakers.

This was the first time agent Leon Rose told his client, Aaron McKie, that it was possible the Lakers would include McKie in a sign-and-trade deal if money was needed to make salaries match.

"I just laughed," McKie recalled last night, on the telephone from Memphis. "I said there was no way that could happen. But I also don't know how those things play out."

McKie, still on the 76ers' payroll for $7 million this season, had completed a 2-year contract with the Lakers. He had appeared in only 10 games last season. He had been more prone than ever to injury. He didn't necessarily want to stop playing, but, at 32, he knew it was time.

He came back to the Sixers as a volunteer player development assistant coach. He worked individually with some of the young players. He played in some of the three-on-three and four-on-four scrimmages.

He was content. He was learning on the job, determining whether coaching was in his future.

And then Rose called again. This time, Bryant was staying put, but the Lakers were acquiring Pau Gasol from the Grizzlies on Friday. They needed an additional salary to pull the matching salaries within the league's required 125 percent and $100,000.

The Lakers had not renounced their rights to McKie. They could sign him. By league rule, that meant at least a 3-year contract, with at least 1 year guaranteed. For McKie, that meant a prorated deal worth $1.5 million. That meant a $750,000 windfall.

How could he say no?

He couldn't.

"He caught me in total shock," McKie said after taking a physical. "Leon asked whether I'd be willing to do this. I said I'd think about it, and here I am. I've been running around like a madman trying to get ready."

He has no illusions. He's not even close to being in playing shape, but he has had productive conversations with Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace and head coach Marc Iavaroni. He thinks he'll work with some of the young players, much as he did with the Sixers.

"I'm not trying to be a hero," McKie said. "A lot of players beat themselves up when it gets to be time to think about retiring. They want closure, and they want good closure. I'd like that, too. But I've got to be smart about it."

The Grizzlies play tonight against Milwaukee. One way or another, in a uniform or in a suit, he'll be there. As surprised as anyone.</div>

Source: Philly.com

Thanks Aaron for agreeing to help us out!