The Bulls are prepared to sign Tracy McGrady if he proves to be sufficiently healthy in a workout Monday and he can convince the team he is willing to accept a bench role, one source familiar with Chicago's thinking said Sunday. "Nothing is done until it's done, but I expect the Bulls to sign McGrady later this week," the source said. Another unknown is what kind of contract McGrady can command from the Bulls. But McGrady has said money and years are not priorities after earning nearly $23 million last season with Houston and New York. Although he has expressed interest in snagging one of the spots on Miami's bench in support of the LeBron James-Dwyane Wade-Chris Bosh triumvirate and he auditioned for the Los Angeles Clippers last week, Chicago is undeniably where McGrady has been hoping to wind up. McGrady made his desires evident in several recent messages on his Twitter feed, including his pronouncements Saturday that he has "unfinished business" with the Bulls and that it "could be fate this time round" with Chicago after drawing serious interest from the Bulls in the 1997 draft and again during free agency in 2000. It obviously doesn't hurt McGrady's chances that Bulls star Derrick Rose told ESPNChicago.com's Nick Friedell on Friday that the idea of signing McGrady -- Rose's favorite player as a kid -- has his full support. Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/news/story?id=5408617
The only attraction of playing for the Bulls for the guys we signed is that they look at our depth chart and see a hole they can fill. TMac goes to Miami, and he's behind Wade and LeBron in their depth chart. In Chicago, he would easily be our starting SG if he's 90% the player he once was.
He is 18 months removed from microfacture surgery and supposedly a player is not right until 2 years after. I think it's a good gamble especially if he is willing to sign a 1-year deal.
I'm skeptical that McGrady has much left in the tank, but if its between him and Keith Bogans, sure, let's go ahead and do it. A 1 year deal w/ a team option for a 2nd seems like a good idea. Deng and Brewer are probably going to be injured at times anyways, he'll be as able to step in as anyone else.
He may not have much left, but if he accepts his role, his ball handling and passing will help the second unit. I would rather have Tracy than Bogans.
