Bulls haven't closed door on McGrady -- if he'll be a backup

[truebluefan]

The Bulls still have interest in signing seven-time all-star Tracy McGrady, but they want some assurances that he's serious about accepting any role that helps the team win.

Specifically, the Bulls would like to see McGrady accept a non-guaranteed contract. That way, if he lives up to his word, everything will be fine. If he balks at accepting a limited role, the Bulls can let him go.

During a workout Monday at the Berto Center, it was obvious McGrady's movement still is hindered following microfracture surgery on his left knee in February 2009.

At the same time, McGrady, 31, is a dangerous streak shooter with deep range. Even if he is shadow of his former self, he could turn out to be a valuable addition and perhaps a late-game finisher.

Taking a chance on McGrady makes more sense when considering the options left on the free-agent market. The Bulls also are talking to Keith Bogans, Eddie House and Roger Mason and may try to bring in some of those players for workouts before making a final decision on McGrady.

Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has a good relationship with McGrady's agent, Arn Tellem, which might help the 6-foot-8 swingman's chances of landing in Chicago. When he visited the Berto Center, McGrady said playing for the Bulls was his first choice.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=396883

[truebluefan]

I have a feeling McGrady will accept the offer. No hurray, it's not like teams are knocking down his door these days.

He better not wait too long. Rudy and others are in the Bulls sight.

[JayJohnstone]

If I'm McGrady, I might accept a $3M unguaranteed contract but would probably just hang if it's minimum salary.

[such sweet thunder]

Specifically, the Bulls would like to see McGrady accept a non-guaranteed contract. That way, if he lives up to his word, everything will be fine. If he balks at accepting a limited role, the Bulls can let him go.

Am I allowed to call bull shit on this. Is it really about a limited role or the fact that they are not certain about his health.

[truebluefan]

http://sportstwo.com/threads/166255-...46#post2397346

Miami has not ruled out Tracy as well.

So, either the Bulls or McGrady has to Balk first.

Bulls lost out on House this morning. Heat got him!

[MikeDC]

Am I allowed to call bull shit on this. Is it really about a limited role or the fact that they are not certain about his health.

I'd hope they'd be two sides of the same coin. If he's healthy and performing well, there ought to be no limit to the role he could have. But basically, he probably just can't play. The Clips obviously weren't enthused about him either.

If I'm McGrady, I might accept a $3M unguaranteed contract but would probably just hang if it's minimum salary.

I wouldn't accept any unguaranteed contract if I were him. Because if I were him, I'd be pretty sure I couldn't play, and I'd realize I'd get cut or used as trade fodder.

And of course, like Latrell Sprewell, this man has a family to feed and can't just go around stooping or kneeling down for the minimum

[truebluefan]

ESPN Still reporting, Bulls pondering McGrady

Bulls haven't ruled out T-Mac

As of Friday morning, Chicago had not completely ruled out the signing of Tracy McGrady.

Miami’s signing of Eddie House extinguished one of the Bulls’ other prime options and thus helped keep alive the possibility of McGrady scoring the deal from the Bulls that he so badly wants, as chronicled here. Chicago, though, continues to look at other options such as Keith Bogans and Roger Mason.

Sources close to the process, as they did Monday after McGrady’s workout and sit-down with team officials, continue to describe the prospect of a T-Mac signing as “unlikely” after he spoke at length -- to the media and apparently those officials as well -- of his intent to try to force his way into a prominent role with the Bulls when they were looking for him to show a blanket willingness to accept a limited role.

If the Bulls ultimately do relent and commit to a T-Mac experiment, since they do need another scoring threat on the perimeter, it’s believed that they will insist on McGrady accepting a non-guaranteed deal for next season so they can let him go at any time without financial hesitation if they deem the experiment to be failing.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/pos...haq-t-mac-more