Magic, T-Mac to discuss future next week (Mavericks mention)

[kg_veteran]

Magic, T-Mac to meet next week
Rich DeVos wants to know if Tracy McGrady wants to stay so the team can make draft plans.

By Brian Schmitz | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted June 11, 2004

CHICAGO -- Fearing they are re-living the franchise's worst nightmare -- the loss of another superstar -- the Orlando Magic will meet with Tracy McGrady next week to seek a definitive answer to the most-asked question in town:

Does T-Mac want to stay in Orlando or not?

If McGrady tells the Magic he does not or balks at the question, the club will begin plans to trade him and reshape their rebuilding blueprint.

Magic owner Rich DeVos will come to Orlando to speak personally with McGrady, along with club President Bob Vander Weide, Vander Weide told the Sentinel on Thursday.

Vander Weide said the franchise wants to rebuild around McGrady, but it needs to know before the June 24 draft "whether Tracy's in or whether he's out."

McGrady, who can opt out of his seven-year, $93 million contract after next season, had said he would inform the team early next month whether he would finish the remaining three years.

The Magic have the No. 1 pick, but their refurbishing plans are on hold, awaiting McGrady's decision.

The situation is coming to full boil. Magic General Manager John Weisbrod said after the season that he wanted an answer from McGrady and does not want to hear an "I don't know" from him.

Frustrated after the Magic finished with the worst record in the league, McGrady, 25, said he would leave Orlando if he doesn't believe the club will improve dramatically.

"We want to look Tracy in the eyes and say, 'What do you want to do?' No matter what the agent is suggesting or not suggesting as to options for the kid," Vander Weide said. "At the end of the day, I think it's really important that both Rich and myself say, 'Tracy, tell us where your heart is, and we can work through it, whatever it is.' "

Vander Weide and the Magic vow that they will not have another star exit as a free agent without the club getting compensation.

Shaquille O'Neal led them on through the 1996 season, when he was entering his option year, then abruptly left that summer for the Los Angeles Lakers. Orlando would have traded Shaq during the '96 season had they known his true intentions, but it ended up receiving nothing for him.

The loss of O'Neal was considered the biggest free-agent loss in sports history, and the Magic never recovered.

"We can't go through what we did with Shaq . . . in the 11th hour, being in the last year of the contract," Vander Weide said. "We have to know between now and the 24th whether Tracy's in or whether he's out . . . knowing that we'd love to rebuild through and around him.

"He needs to know that. He needs to feel that. But he also needs to understand if his frustration is real and genuine. . . . We are at a point where we can only change so much.

"We all know we can't be the same team. We got to be different, we got to be better."

Vander Weide said the answer that McGrady gives the Magic will determine which course they take in rebuilding the team this offseason. The Magic have the No.1 pick in the draft, and Vander Weide indicated the club would try to trade it for veteran players to win now if T-Mac gives them a thumbs up next week. "We'd use a more veteran approach," Vander Weide said.

If McGrady gives them a thumbs down, the Magic likely would keep the pick, which will be either Connecticut center Emeka Okafor or Atlanta high school phenom Dwight Howard.

"The pieces are very much tied together" to McGrady's decision, Vander Weide said.

McGrady, the league's two-time scoring champ, has said he wanted the Magic to trade their top pick for veteran players, and said he "may have no choice" but to leave if they keep the pick.

McGrady has seemed to be leaning toward leaving, saying he was "90 percent" certain what he would do. He even listed the Houston Rockets as a team that appealed to him. But in the next breath, he also has talked about how much he would love to stay in Orlando, which is close to his hometown of Auburndale.

McGrady did not return a call to his home Thursday.

"Going into draft week, we really want to have a feeling about where he is. . . . We're not going to make any decisions until we know where Tracy the person is," Vander Weide said.

CAMP NOTES: Magic officials are attending the predraft camp in Chicago, scouting players who largely will be second-round picks at best. Weisbrod said that although he wanted to schedule individual workouts for Okafor and Howard on June 18 in Orlando, he was unable to get Howard to confirm after a lengthy conversation on Thursday with Howard's agent, Aaron Goodwin. Okafor still is scheduled for June 18.

The Magic will hold an individual workout today in Chicago for high school star Shaun Livingston, a 6-foot-7 point guard. . . . Rumor mill: The buzz among general managers was that the Dallas Mavericks were not protecting point guard Marquis Daniels, an Orlando native.


________

If the Magic do decide to move McGrady, the Mavs need to quickly get in line with an offer of Walker/Finley/Howard for McGrady/Hill.

As for the Daniels mention, if the Mavs are going to leave Daniels unprotected, that's an indication that they will allow him to become an unrestricted free agent. Cuban has indicated to me by email that they don't intend to let that happen, so I expect to see him on the protected list in spite of this rumor.

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
If the Magic do decide to move McGrady, the Mavs need to quickly get in line with an offer of Walker/Finley/Howard for McGrady/Hill.

I agree 100%. They need to be the 1ST ONES on the Phone with the Magic GM making that offer. It's not a bad offer either considering that the Magic are getting 2 solid veterans and one very good 2nd-year player(since last year was his rookie season). Plus, one of those vets has an expiring contract so they have an extra option to deal him should things not shape up to be working out(which I doubt since Walker is more suited for the Eastern Conference anyway) at the Deadline.

[kg_veteran]

It seems to me that a starting lineup of Okafor, Walker, Howard, Finley, and Lue with a bench of DeClerq, Gooden, Howard, and Stevenson is a playoff team in the East. Plus, you have your foundation to build upon (Okafor and Howard) and would have about 18 million in cap room in the summer of 2005. That ought to be enough to attract another big name free agent to come play with Okafor and Howard for the future. Sounds like a reasonable plan for them.

As for the Mavs, they'd still have to address their center issues, but if they could obtain Ostertag, this looks pretty darn good to me:

Ostertag - Bradley - Fortson
Nowitzki - Najera
McGrady - Jamison
Daniels
Nash - Steffansson

Add a free agent vet PG, and you're set to go.

[MikeB]

Sounds good to me.

There is alot of versatility in the 2-4 positions.
TMac would make us damn near unstoppable on offense with his ability to take the ball to the hole. If the D colapsed then he could kick to Dirk and/or Steve for spot up jumpers or dish to Jamison running the baseline. Pretty lethal.

As far as a backup PG...who is available that might fit Nellie's system?

[kg_veteran]

Kenny Anderson as a backup PG makes sense to me.

I'd love to have Darrell Armstrong, but I don't know that he's available from New Orleans.

[sike]

kg said:

If the Magic do decide to move McGrady, the Mavs need to quickly get in line with an offer of Walker/Finley/Howard for McGrady/Hill.

in a second the mavs do this deal..dump the Finley contract(that whether you like him or not you must admit hes costing way too much) which i think would force dirk to take a more active leadership role....lose the walker cancer...only a good thing....the only negative is losing the young prospect howard...but I will take a young Superstar for a young prospect anyday....


question...how many more years on the hill contract?

also kg, in the lineup you propose, Jamison is yet again the sixth man....he has expressed his dislike for said role.....we would have to consider that in the equation...

[sike]

kg proposed

Ostertag - Bradley - Fortson
Nowitzki - Najera
McGrady - Jamison
Daniels
Nash - Steffansson

Add a free agent vet PG, and you're set to go.

I'm loving the look of about 22-25 shots a game for tmac and Dirk....nash gets about 12-14, Daniels 8-10.....jamison would still be odd man out getting no more than 10-12 a game....

[MikeB]

You could always start Jamison at the 3 and TMac at the 2 and bring Daniels in as 6th man instant offense...he has shown the ability and might be much better at that role.

[sike]

Originally posted by: MikeB
You could always start Jamison at the 3 and TMac at the 2 and bring Daniels in as 6th man instant offense...he has shown the ability and might be much better at that role.

and the obvious answer may indeed be the best here mike.... does anyone know Tmac's feelings about playing the two?

[Nash13]

A kicker in that trade would be if Hill can produce something in his final comeback.

Couldn't we get something else in that deal? Maybe Stevenson.

[MikeB]

TMac is a 2 for the most part...so it wouldn't bother him at all playing there.

Trying to get Stevenson too would like looking a gift horse in the mouth. If you can get McGrady/Hill for Fin/Walker/Josh then you take him and say thank you very much. If Hill can ever play at all then you have upgraded tremendously.

[Dirkenstien]

I think you would have to start Jamison at the three and McGrady at the two although I like the lineup of Nash,Daniels, and TMac a bit more. Does anyone know what position TMac played more in Orlando..the two or the three? Either way...the mavericks would have to agree to this deal for the simple fact that we're getting a young all-star player in return, yet the question remains; will this lineup be able to play defense?

[sike]

Originally posted by: Dirkenstien
I think you would have to start Jamison at the three and McGrady at the two although I like the lineup of Nash,Daniels, and TMac a bit more. Does anyone know what position TMac played more in Orlando..the two or the three? Either way...the mavericks would have to agree to this deal for the simple fact that we're getting a young all-star player in return, yet the question remains; will this lineup be able to play defense?

another good question may well be "How is that back doing Tmac?"

[Nash13]

Let me tell all of you what would happen in this trade:

1. We will be giving up two good players and a big contract for one player.

2. We would lose backcourt depth significantly.

3. We would not be certain if McGrady would come back to Dallas next season.

4. We would make a trade that will not address our biggest need, a center, and would give us something that we already have a lot of, star power.

[sike]

Originally posted by: Nash13
Let me tell all of you what would happen in this trade:

1. We will be giving up two good players and a big contract for one player.
(two good players for one top five player.. i"m ok with this...also you are assuming that hill is done..I am still ok.....plus you have gotta see that they would be giving away two huge contracts as well....)

2. We would lose backcourt depth significantly. (Tracy does nothing but give the mavs the best backcourt in the league...top four point in Nash and top two player at the two...??? what are you thinking?? they would not be losing anything they would gain the best backcourt in the freakin league!)

3. We would not be certain if McGrady would come back to Dallas next season.(can he opt out every year of his contract??? this would have to be settled before any deal is made..but so far I trust Cuban to get things done)

4. We would make a trade that will not address our biggest need, a center, and would give us something that we already have a lot of, star power.(Still got Tag waiting in the wings..I am good with that...if Tmac is a mav)

[MikeB]

TMac is worth that.

In this scenario we still sign Ostertag at Center and with who we have coaching I am pretty sure we would see quite a bit of this small ball lineup:

Nash
Daniels
TMac
Jamison
Dirk

[sike]

Originally posted by: MikeB
TMac is worth that.

In this scenario we still sign Ostertag at Center and with who we have coaching I am pretty sure we would see quite a bit of this small ball lineup:

Nash
Daniels
TMac
Jamison
Dirk

*huuug* already the small ball talk.....death to small ball

[MikeB]

Well that is Nellie...love him or HATE HIM!

As it is even without the TMac deal we will be seeing plenty of :
Nash
Daniels
Finley
Jamison
Dirk

So in that scenario I'd much rather have a slashing driving player who can dish to our shooters than have an extra spot up shooter. TMac can do all Finley can do and much much more.

[sike]

mike said:

TMac can do all Finley can do and much much more.

agreed....

but I dont want to see Dirk play the 5 ever again....

[Nash13]

Although I still don't 100% agree with this potential move, tell me this..... What will be the next thing Dallas does as far as offseason moves?

[Poindexter Einstein]

SIMILAR ARTICLE, apparently from same source...

One of the proposed deals that might make the most sense for the Magic is the expansion Charlotte Bobcats trading Orlando the No. 4 pick and a player claimed in the expansion draft for the top selection. Teams had to submit their lists of protected players to the NBA on Thursday and they will be announced today. One rumor wafting through the gym Thursday was that the Dallas Mavericks will leave guard Marquis Daniels unprotected, meaning he could claimed by the Bobcats.

-----------------------
WHY THIS IS A DUMB AND UNRELIABLE REPORT ...The problem with this concept is what it would take to make it true. It would take a desire on the part of the Mavs to lose Daniels. Because for Daniels to be "unprotected" he must be made restricted. (If he is an unrestricted FA, he cant be taken). And that makes him a sure thing to be taken. And then he becomes an instant UFA, and every team can bid on him - except Dallas.

So this report says that Dallas does not want to try to keep Daniels. They will restrict him, and then leave him off the protected list, which guarantees they will ultimately have no shot to keep him.

That lacks credibility in any way.

[irontoad]

Wouldn't signing McGrady totally negate the goal of solving the "too many big chiefs, not enough little Indians" idea that people are/were complaining about??

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: irontoad
Wouldn't signing McGrady totally negate the goal of solving the "too many big chiefs, not enough little Indians" idea that people are/were complaining about??

No, not really. I believe there would be two definitive scoring chiefs when it comes to scoring and a PG that gets them the ball. Everyone else would have to be little Indians. I would assume the Mavs would still try to adress their center issue in some manner. Sure, Jamison would still be a guy that could score, but you'd see much of what you saw this year. His scoring would simply have to come from someone else penetrating and dishing him the ball or through his cuts and/or putbacks. He wouldn't be a guy that had plays run for him. In essence, he would be an 'Indian'. But, I'd still want him coming off of the bench.

Nash has already shown that he has no problem sacrificing shots in order to distribute the ball more. That would be perfect. Plus, you wouldn't ever be able to double team Nash.

[sike]

Nash has already shown that he has no problem sacrificing shots in order to distribute the ball more. That would be perfect. Plus, you wouldn't ever be able to double team Nash.

great point...Nash's assist average would be even higher if this deal went through..just think all those nice dishes he gave to Walker/Fin would now be going to player who know how to finish around the hole....

[Murphy3]

Originally posted by: sike

great point...Nash's assist average would be even higher if this deal went through..just think all those nice dishes he gave to Walker/Fin would now be going to player who know how to finish around the hole....

Nellie tried the point forward system in part to free up open looks for Nash, and to make him getting his shots of easier. Well, adding a player that can get to the rim at any time like McGrady would actually do just that.

[sike]

Originally posted by: Murphy3

Nellie tried the point forward system in part to free up open looks for Nash, and to make him getting his shots of easier. Well, adding a player that can get to the rim at any time like McGrady would actually do just that.

i am of the opinion that if something like this deal were to go down, the mavs would have four strong finishers: Tmac, Dirk, Jamison, and Daniels....not too shabby....

[Murphy3]

I believe Jamison would be stuck in a similar role as last season with a bit more PT. I think he could live with that. I also believe that the Mavs would have to put some restraints on Daniels game..or, would at least need to. They couldn't afford to have him looking to score all the time with Dirk and McGrady also on the court.

[sike]

Originally posted by: Murphy3
I believe Jamison would be stuck in a similar role as last season with a bit more PT. I think he could live with that. I also believe that the Mavs would have to put some restraints on Daniels game..or, would at least need to. They couldn't afford to have him looking to score all the time with Dirk and McGrady also on the court.

this was proven true in the playoffs where Daniels took way too many shots away from dirk by settling for the quick jumper or the off balance drive in the lane....I like Jamison...he seems to be an honorable man..but he will want to start...you are correct that he may take the role if he gets "stuck" with it...if it comes along with more PT and shots.....there is nothing wrong with sixth man of the year and 15ppg.

[Max Power]

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
If the Magic do decide to move McGrady, the Mavs need to quickly get in line with an offer of Walker/Finley/Howard for McGrady/Hill.

I'd love to see the Mavs try to swing a three way deal if the Magic decide to move McGrady - to land Kobe. I hate Kobe as much as anyone but the man can play basketball. A Kobe for McGrady swap would work except I can't imagine Kobe wanting to go to the dregs of the NBA - he wants to win a championship without Shaq. Dallas is an excellent choice for this.

Why it might work. Orlando gets a good package for McGrady - two former All-Stars with quite a few good years left plus Howard AND they deal Hill. The Mavs would probably have to throw in a first and Cuban will probably have to kick in the $3M again but it's worth it. The Lakers swap a top player for a top player - a slight downgrade but McGrady is the best deal they are going to get. The Mavs obviously make out pretty well but their depth is destroyed. We'd have to pray that Tag would sign for the LLE or Daniels would be willing to split the MLE with him or we'd have to go without a center again.

[Drbio]

If Kobe comes to Dallas I will never watch another Maverick game again.

[Max Power]

Originally posted by: Drbio
If Kobe comes to Dallas I will never watch another Maverick game again.

I don't like Kobe either but the Mavs would be better off to have him than McGrady. Kobe/Dirk/Nash make a strong case for the best team in the NBA. McGrady/Dirk/Nash is not nearly as strong.

[Simon2]

Rather have McGrady at 2 and Jamison at three. Daniels will be off the bench. Don't really know what Nellie will do. Next season will be big for Nellie and Finley. If they don't produce, they will be out of here. The Mavs should try to get McGrady anyway they can. If they trade for T-Mac and Hill, can the Mavs get some sort of medical exception?

Originally posted by: kg_veteran
It seems to me that a starting lineup of Okafor, Walker, Howard, Finley, and Lue with a bench of DeClerq, Gooden, Howard, and Stevenson is a playoff team in the East. Plus, you have your foundation to build upon (Okafor and Howard) and would have about 18 million in cap room in the summer of 2005. That ought to be enough to attract another big name free agent to come play with Okafor and Howard for the future. Sounds like a reasonable plan for them.

As for the Mavs, they'd still have to address their center issues, but if they could obtain Ostertag, this looks pretty darn good to me:

Ostertag - Bradley - Fortson
Nowitzki - Najera
McGrady - Jamison
Daniels
Nash - Steffansson

Add a free agent vet PG, and you're set to go.

[Rod1975]

Originally posted by: Max Power

I don't like Kobe either but the Mavs would be better off to have him than McGrady. Kobe/Dirk/Nash make a strong case for the best team in the NBA. McGrady/Dirk/Nash is not nearly as strong.

Tmac is more of a team player imo Max. I mean, just look at the finals, he's getting double teamed all the time, and it's like pulling teeth to get him to pass the damn ball before the double gets there and locks him down....which has happened often. Plus Tmac's citizenship is alot more sparkling.

Ditto Doc......plus it's a pipedream, so not to worry...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

[bcrav4]

If we traded for T-Mac why would we need to sign Daniels? If T-Mac would agree to re-sign with Dallas when his contract expires (which he would have to in order for us to trade for him), we would use the MLE to sign a Center.