Link: http://www.oregonlive.com/weblogs/blazersblog/ Thursday, January 15, 2004 Ford on trades ESPN Insider Chad Ford chatted with NBA fans today. Read what he had to say about the Blazers trading Rasheed Wallace for Tracy McGrady: It will never happen. If it does, Stern should kick the Magic out of the NBA. If the rumored Dallas deal goes through, would Wallace re-sign with the Mavericks over the summer? Ford doesn't think so: That's one of the reasons the Mavs are reluctant to pull the trigger. If Sheed leaves, they essentially gave up Antawn Jamison (or whoever they'd send to Portland) for nothing. Even if they could get some sort of guarantee by Sheed, I don't see how it makes the Mavs any better. To me, they need a blue collar banger to do some dirty work in the paint. Sheed isn't that guy. Swing and a miss? Fans in our Blazers forum have been salivating over the possibility of the Blazers landing Orlando's Tracy McGrady. With the Magic struggling and McGrady voicing his frustrations, some thought a Rasheed Wallace-for-Tracy McGrady trade was possible. Today's Orlando Sentinel makes it sound like the Blazers had discussions about acquiring T-Mac, but were rebuffed: It is believed that the Portland Trail Blazers talked to the Magic about trading troublesome forward Rasheed Wallace for McGrady. Gabriel would not confirm if the Trail Blazers were one of the teams, nor would he speak to any specific team. What did McGrady have to say about the rumor? "I don't believe any of that, but I did hear the Rasheed rumor. I think there would be a lot of disappointed Orlando fans if that happened."
Thanks for the news, I myself think either way wouldn't be good. Both Sheed and TMac are offensive players who often love having possession of the ball. They'd be in the same position, only with a player whom has a worse attitude in comparison. TMac wants so much for them to win, so much so that he'd hog the ball, at least he doesn't speak trash anymore. I always picture him like AI, sticking with his team even if it meant no gold.
I agree , but i think thats why T-Mac will leave, people dont realize this but T-mac is very unselfish, he wants other players to score and thats what he tried to do at the beginning of the season pass the ball and they lost 19 in a row. He needs to shoot over 25 a game for them to be competetive . Its really hard on him becausewhen teams do the traingle zone on him he has to kick it out to Bogans , Howard and Declerq, and none of them are good shooters , so teams can just focus on T-mac and let the other magic players get open shots and miss. If he goes to Portland , he would be with Zach randolph, wesley person , and Stoudimire. I think this trade will go through, Rasheed, Travis Outlaw, 3 future first round picks and max cash considerations for T-Mac. The Magic are in financial trouble they need the money and Rasheeds contract comes of the book , if Grant Hill opts out in 05, the magic could have 30 million dollars in cap space.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting YaoMing03-04:</div><div class="quote_post">why not</div> Why would he opt out of a $14-16 million a year contract? He is making that much money doing nothing in Orlando. Why opt out and not get paid a 6th of that for any other team that he could possibly play for?
I don't think the trade will go down, simply because Orlando realizes how much worse they'd be without him. Portland should be salivating at this deal, but Orlando already has two power forwards, why would they get a third? Stupid of Gabriel if he does. I think this will blow over, and something else will come up for Sheed. As for TMac, he may turn out to be a Mitch Richmond, a guy who couldn't single handedly carry a team to any success, but could hitch on with a winner at the end of his career. No shame in that.
That would be a horrible trade...The eastern confrence is already stuggling...dont trade Mcgrady whose the east best player to the west...much less Walllace is nowhere near as good as McGrady!
Starman 85 are you serious? Did you just compare Mitch Richmond and T-Mac? Tracy Mcgrady has been one of the top 5 players for the last 4 seasons . he has averaged over 25 5 and 5 the last 4 seasons no one has done that not even Kobe , KG or TD. His playoff average is at 29 points a game. And lets face it no one wins by themself no one , not wilt, not jordan not Magic.
I bet you Grant Hill will have some class and opt out of his contract. That's just my opinion though. He's already made close to 50 million doing nothing, he has a lot of class, so that should satisfy him. Now about the Tmac situation. The deal won't happen. If it does, Gabriel is fired within the hour of the deal. Like what starman says, we don't need 3 PF's. We're having enough trouble with Gooden and Howard, why bring a 3rd guy in it?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting YaoMing03-04:</div><div class="quote_post">Starman 85 are you serious? Did you just compare Mitch Richmond and T-Mac? Tracy Mcgrady has been one of the top 5 players for the last 4 seasons . he has averaged over 25 5 and 5 the last 4 seasons no one has done that not even Kobe , KG or TD. His playoff average is at 29 points a game. And lets face it no one wins by themself no one , not wilt, not jordan not Magic.</div> That's harsh, also Richmond is similiar to TMac. In the sense that he had mediocre support and worked extremely hard in order to earn wins for a team he know which probably would never go anywhere. Both players are offensively driven.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting YaoMing03-04:</div><div class="quote_post">Starman 85 are you serious? Did you just compare Mitch Richmond and T-Mac? Tracy Mcgrady has been one of the top 5 players for the last 4 seasons . he has averaged over 25 5 and 5 the last 4 seasons no one has done that not even Kobe , KG or TD. His playoff average is at 29 points a game. And lets face it no one wins by themself no one , not wilt, not jordan not Magic.</div> You do realize that Richmond used to be one of the best players in the league for years too, right? Do you think the Kings would just retire his number for the hell of it? I'm not trying to say they are alike, Richmond was a great player in his time too buddy.
It'd be a stupid deal on Orlando's part...but they've made worse deals before...so I wouldnt be surprised at all...
Thats a really bad trade, rassheed is quiet right now and hasn't come up big yet, And T-Mac is one of the best players in the east right now. And without T-Mac, the orlando magics are doomed.
