http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ys-mcgradyrockets021710&prov=yhoo&type=lgns Rockets debate Knicks, Bulls offers for T-Mac By Marc J. Spears and Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports 3 hours, 7 minutes ago The Houston Rockets continued to hold substantive talks with the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls about exiled guard Tracy McGrady(notes), with sources close to the negotiations saying the Rockets had yet to finalize their decision. The Bulls spent late Tuesday gathering information on McGrady, evidence they at least thought they remained in the bidding. Still, some league executives say they think the Rockets ultimately hope to strike a deal with the Knicks and are using the Bulls as leverage to get New York to firm up its offer. As for McGrady’s wishes? “I’m ready to play for whoever,” McGrady said in an email Tuesday night. As Yahoo! Sports first reported on Monday, the framework of the deal between the Rockets and Knicks would have Houston sending McGrady, Brian Cook(notes) and Joey Dorsey(notes) to New York for guard Larry Hughes(notes), Jordan Hill(notes) and Jared Jeffries(notes). The two teams also would swap first-round picks in 2011 and the Knicks would send the Rockets their first-round selection in 2012. In addition to persuading the Knicks to include Hill, the draft picks also have been haggling points. The Rockets have so far asked a hefty price for taking on the contract of Jeffries, who will make $6.9 million next season. Removing Jeffries – and Hill – from their payroll could allow the Knicks to try to sign two top-tier free agents this summer in a class that includes LeBron James(notes), Dwyane Wade(notes) and Chris Bosh(notes). The Bulls’ package for McGrady includes Tyrus Thomas(notes), Brad Miller(notes) and either John Salmons(notes) or Kirk Hinrich(notes). Chicago has tried to attach Salmons to packages involving Thomas, which has tempered the demand for him. The Spurs are still intrigued by Thomas. They’ve had talks about moving Antonio McDyess(notes) and the remaining $7.5 million on his contract after this season to open minutes and create flexibility to possibly re-sign Thomas in the summer. Having to also take on Salmons, however, would likely be a deal-breaker. The two teams talked on Tuesday, but Chicago wasn’t in position to make a deal with Thomas until resolving negotiations with the Rockets. The Spurs’ best chance to move McDyess, should it become necessary, would be to the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets are interested in another big man for the playoffs, and McDyess has a history in Denver which would make him comfortable with the move. The Nuggets have given up hope that they can acquire Thomas. Bulls general manager Gar Forman isn’t interested in expiring Denver contracts which won’t help them reach the playoffs, nor a draft pick that’ll likely be late in the draft. The Knicks still have interest with Thomas for Al Harrington(notes) but don’t have a draft pick to appease the Bulls.
The Bulls’ package for McGrady includes Tyrus Thomas(notes), Brad Miller(notes) and either John Salmons(notes) or Kirk Hinrich(notes). Chicago has tried to attach Salmons to packages involving Thomas, which has tempered the demand for him. The Spurs are still intrigued by Thomas. They’ve had talks about moving Antonio McDyess(notes) and the remaining $7.5 million on his contract after this season to open minutes and create flexibility to possibly re-sign Thomas in the summer. Having to also take on Salmons, however, would likely be a deal-breaker. The two teams talked on Tuesday, but Chicago wasn’t in position to make a deal with Thomas until resolving negotiations with the Rockets.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/basketball/nba/02/16/knicks.mcgrady/index.html Knicks finalizing deal to land T-Mac from Rockets The New York Knicks are finalizing a deal to acquire Houston Rockets forward Tracy McGrady, an NBA source told SI.com. The framework of the deal involves sending McGrady to New York for forward Jared Jeffries, guard Larry Hughes and forward Jordan Hill. The Knicks and Rockets have agreed to swap 2011 first round picks and the Knicks will send the Rockets their first round pick in 2012. The only outstanding issues involve protection for the draft picks. The deal could be completed as early as tomorrow.
What's wrong with this picture? The Rockets willing to take on Jared Jeffries' $6.9M contract for next season, but Salmons' $5.8M contract is a deal breaker. Meanwhile, the Knicks and the Clippers actually cleared enough cap to sign two MAX FAs, while we talk about the possibility. While we sat on our hands, we lost the chance to ship Deng to Portland for expiring contracts. As well, if we are going to try to do well in the playoffs, Camby could have been a big help.
What's missing from the picture are the Knicks are offering a rookie lottery pick (Hill) and another 1st rounder. I can't say I totally blame the Bulls. But they screwed around for two years and now they can't seem to move Kurt or Salmons. I view the fact they seem willing to flush this season's playoff revenues (which they surely would if they traded their only two healthy big guys for TMac) as some level of desperation on their part.
Unless they pull somethin really tricky or get really creative, my prediction of them not making a move will be true. And mike, his name is Kirk lol
