A new dynamic duo in the West, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, is a distinct possibility.
Executives from several NBA teams said Orlando and Houston were close to a deal sending McGrady to the Rockets for a package including Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley.
The Magic also are receiving offers for the No. 1 pick in the draft Thursday night.
The expansion draft will be held Tuesday night, the Charlotte Bobcats selecting at least 14 players off existing rosters. The other 29 teams could protect up to eight players.
Charlotte made its first trade Monday, receiving the overall No. 2 selection in Thursday's draft from the Los Angeles Clippers for the fourth and 33rd picks. The Bobcats also agreed to select Los Angeles center Predrag Drobnjak in the expansion draft.
What promises to be a busy week began with loads of trade talk, though the Los Angeles Lakers apparently won't be putting any Shaquille O'Neal discussions on the fast track.
General manager Mitch Kupchak said he expects to hear from O'Neal's representatives in the coming days to gauge whether O'Neal was sincere in his comments last week demanding a trade.
"Me and the Big Fella are trying to get to Dallas together now," McGrady told Florida Today.
If the Lakers are serious about trading O'Neal, the Mavericks could be an ideal trading partner.
Dallas owner Mark Cuban said he hadn't spoken to the Lakers yet.
"Will we? Most likely," he said. "But, you know, we also have to ascertain what's real and what's not real."
Dallas has one of the league's most talent-laden rosters, including several players whose combined salaries would be within the league-mandated 15 percent of O'Neal's $27 million salary for next season.
The hangup would be deciding the players involved. The Lakers would start by asking for Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavericks would be more willing to package Antoine Walker, Antawn Jamison or Michael Finley.
"I'd be hard-pressed to see us trading Dirk," Cuban said. "Dirk is as close to an untouchable as we'd get."
The Rockets were said to be the leading candidate to acquire McGrady from Orlando, with officials from other teams saying Houston was offering a package including Francis, Mobley, Kelvin Cato and/or Bostjan Nachbar for McGrady, Juwan Howard, Andrew DeClercq and Tyronn Lue. Because of league salary cap rules relating to Francis' salary, such a deal could not be finalized until mid-July.
"Tracy has indicated he would like to play elsewhere, and we're trying to see what we can do," Magic executive Pat Williams said. "The issue is where he would sign (a contract extension). Teams want to know what Tracy's plans are."
The rumored deal sending McGrady to Houston could be contingent on whether the Bobcats select any of Orlando's unprotected players in Tuesday's expansion draft. Charlotte now has the security of knowing it'll be able to draft Dwight Howard or Emeka Okafor with the No. 2 pick Thursday night.
Howard and Okafor were expected in Charlotte for workouts Tuesday.
"We would be pleased starting our basketball team with either one of those young men," Bobcats coach and general manager Bernie Bickerstaff said. "They represent what we would like to become in terms of character, competitiveness and talent."
The Bobcats also were close to finalizing a deal with Phoenix to acquire center Jahidi White, cash and a future first-round draft pick. That trade would clear salary cap space for the Suns, allowing them to make a run at free agents Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and others.
With former Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich interviewing for the Lakers' coaching job, Los Angeles general manager Mitch Kupchak was coy regarding O'Neal.
"I do expect to meet with or speak to Shaquille's representatives in timely fashion. We've had three or four days now for everybody to wind down now, calm down a little bit. I'll get a better feel of where we stand at that time," Kupchak said. "I'm eager to hear what they have to say, and we'll take it from there."
Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, told the Houston Chronicle the McGrady trade was not complete, but was close.
"Steve's preference is to not go to Orlando," Fried said. "Steve's tasted the playoffs. (The Rockets) got a series under their belts. He was looking forward to going further with the same Rockets team, but with another year of experience together. This is certainly not his preference. He loves Houston."
yeah ive seen that but i think i read somethng that charlette might take one of those houston players in the expansion draft which may screw up houstons chances of aquiring him
but i have to say it would be scary to see yao ming and tracy mcgrady on the same team
You know its a pretty good deal for Orlando because Orlandos point guard was like Tyronn Lue...Steve Francis can easly take his place. Although they lost Tmac...its still a pretty good trade for Orlando
This trade will be officially announced after tonights expansion draft. The Rockets want PG Reece Gaines if he is not selected by Charlotte. So, the deal looks like this...
Francis, Mobley, Cato for Mcgrady, T.Lue, Juwan Howard, R.Gaines
I think it is a good trade for both teams. Being a Rockets fan, its hard to see these three go, especially Steve. But, the way I see it, this is a deal you can't pass up. They get arguably a top 5 player at the age of 25 to pair up with Yao. The Magic get a superstar and two other starters out of the deal. I'd bet money on that team making the playoffs next year in the East if Francis doesn't force a trade. The Rockets are expected to sign a PG, out of Derek Fisher, Nick Van Exel, Troy Hudson, or possibly Brent Barry.
PG: Fisher/Lue/Gaines
SG: Mcgrady
SF: Jim Jackson/Boki Nachbar
PF: Mo Taylor/Juwan Howard/C.Weatherspoon
C: Yao
Look for it to be announced this weekend. Francis has revoked his statements about not wanting to play in Orlando, and is visiting tomorrow. The Rockets are probably the only team that Mcgrady will sign with after his contract runs out after this season, so either Orlando keeps him and loses him next year for nothing or gets Francis, Mobley, and Cato now.
Haha. Your guess is as good as mine now. Mr. Francis is supposedly visiting Orlando today to meet with them. If its not done by Wednesday, they will have to wait until July 15 due to Steve's contract. Tyronn Lue can also become a free agent Wednesday, so they may have to restructure the deal if they wait. Basically the Rockets pulled the trigger on this deal a week ago, but Orlando's GM is being an *** and got scared at the last minute to pull the trigger. With Orlando picking Howard over Okafor, I think that pretty much rules out any chance of Mcgrady staying.
I'm not gonna say when I expect this deal to be done, I've been wrong twice already.
Lol, mboss your avatar is freakin me out. I coulda sworn you were qb, I had to look twice. But anyways, I think you're right about Howard. I personally thought the Tragic would definitely pick Okafor, but they shocked all of us (or at least me) with that pick. It probably does mean that McGrady is gone.
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l 1 KC Chief Super Bowl Championship l - l 1 KC Royals World Series Title l - l 2 Kansas University Jayhawk NCAA Basketball Chamionships l
hate to see it happen though, but it will make things interesting in the West now.... so much for shaq ub Orlando in my opinion. Houston defintely got the better end
well....orlando needed something to change, will this help? i personally dunno.
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David "The Hayemaker" Haye:21-1, 20 KOs
Undisputed World Cruiserweight Champion (WBA, WBC, WBO, The Ring Magazine Champion) World Heavyweight Title Fight: November 7
This looks awfully good for houston. I think francis is going to hurt the magic as much as he helps them. His talent is amazing, but hes too selfish to be a point guard, and too small to play anything else.
This looks awfully good for houston. I think francis is going to hurt the magic as much as he helps them. His talent is amazing, but hes too selfish to be a point guard, and too small to play anything else.
I heard something about them moving him to the SG, but I'm not sure that will happen. I think Francis will do much better in the guard oriented East, simply because he will have more freedom in the offense and be able to run more. Last year, he was adjusting to Van Gundy's system in Houston and they were one of the worst running teams in the league because they never practiced it or used the fastbreak in the game. Steve's scoring and shooting percentage should go up drastically in Orlando...they can't possibly be worse than last year.
Being a Rockets fan, I know Steve has the will and the heart to lead that team. I will continue to follow him throughout his career.
This looks awfully good for houston. I think francis is going to hurt the magic as much as he helps them. His talent is amazing, but hes too selfish to be a point guard, and too small to play anything else.
Ahhh, my home town team now looks better than ever. T-Mac wants to end his career in Houston... we're drawing the interest of many Free Agents. In my honest opinion, after some adjustment, I think the Rockets will have a better C-SG tandem then LA did. Like I have always said, Shaw may be dominate but he is not dominance. Shaq cannot hit a jumper nor can he down free throws. Yao Ming has been known to shoot it from just inside the arch and still make it. Once Yao become more agressive he has a great chance to become one of the best, if not THE best, centers in the league. Now teams have to worry about T-Mac and Yao while not leaving Jim Jackson in the corner wide open. With a REAL Point Guard, guys like Nachbar, Yao, Tracy, Maurice Taylor, and Juwan Howard will have more opportunities. I'm going to miss Stevie and Cuttino a lot. They have been here for five years and more. I remember when Michael Dickerson was seperated from Cuttino and then came along Steve. Francis's nickname, unfortunately, put more of a burden on him. To be nicknamed "Franchise" raised expectations too high. I believe we could have made the playoffs once again with the same team, but I doubt we would have made it past the first round. This deal propels us into the Second Round for sure, I believe.
I do hope Stevie, Cuttino, and Kelvin do well in Orlando and turn that team around. It'll be weird seeing them in aqua blue.
__________________ Houston Texans (2-1) w/a loss against the Indianapolis Colts 30-24
well living near dallas every year they have something called the global game and there are about 10 teams from various countries (america china argentina ect.) and it includes player 16-21. well since del harris is coach of the chinese national team, he had them play a team coached by donnie nelson. this team was a bunch of college free agents and let me tell you yao had 16 pts. 10 rebs. and 3 blocks but this other guy (damn i cant remember his name) had 21 points 14 rebs and 2 blks and he was up agains t yao the whole game. let me tell you dfuring this whole thing yao has not looked good and he better tune it up. now im not syain yao is bad b or anything because i think hes great but hes looked like crap playin basketball teh past few days
Yao Ming is probably one of the only, if not THE ONLY, elite NBA player who plays basketball YEAR ROUND. I wish he didn't, but that is his heart. He [;ays for the NBA then once the season is over plays for his country, China. He never stops playing and you can only imagine how wore out he becomes. To judge him based on one game is not good enough cos, like Hakeem Olajuwon during his month long religious sacrifice (where he did not eat or something), he can look not up to par in one game but can be fantastic in a spread of five or more.
__________________ Houston Texans (2-1) w/a loss against the Indianapolis Colts 30-24
Yeah, the Rockets will be a force this year. I know you're gonna miss Cuttino, I even remember when he came into Canseco Fieldhouse and was killing the Pacers almost single-handedly. I was at that game... and he was lights out. But I think T-Mac might just be a little better .
I heard you mention Nachbar... I know a kid who's like Bosjohn's 2nd cousin. Isn't that awesome?
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l 1 KC Chief Super Bowl Championship l - l 1 KC Royals World Series Title l - l 2 Kansas University Jayhawk NCAA Basketball Chamionships l
You may have seen him a few times, but I've seen all 82 regular season games for two seasons and the playoffs this year hehe. The kid has mad skills. He doesn't have to shoot 70%, score 30 points, make 20 rebounds, and 10 blocks a night to be good. His prescence makes him good. Teams play around him to avoid him. He alters gameplans. To top it off, he has the skills to hit the jumpers AND FREE THROWS. I dont think that playing year round will prevent him from getting better, in fact it will help him. But I do think it'll make his career shorter. He's going into his third year, give him some more time... you'll be surprised.
__________________ Houston Texans (2-1) w/a loss against the Indianapolis Colts 30-24
David "The Hayemaker" Haye:21-1, 20 KOs
Undisputed World Cruiserweight Champion (WBA, WBC, WBO, The Ring Magazine Champion) World Heavyweight Title Fight: November 7
qb8, you say playing yearf round wont hurt him but in fact if youve seen the games, yao cannot go a full 48 minutes if u need him, he gets so tired quickly and that why i think hes not playin that great, he looks tired, he wasnt built for a 48 minute NBA game and all these other 40 minute games and the olympics are just making him more fatigued
and qb8 dont get me wrong, yao is great and he will be a great dominant center but every now and then he needs to think about resting......
Yao is currently out of shape. It came out in a newspaper (don't remember which one, might have been the Houston Chronicle) a week or two ago. Yao basically didn't do anything between the playoffs and the start of practice for the Chinese National Team, and since his body was used to playing all the time he got out of shape. I'm sure he'll be back into shape by the time the olympics start, and especially by the time the NBA season starts.
You are right though, I'm sure Yao will never go 48 minutes in a game. He might never average 40 a night. Fortunately for the Rockets, they have this new kid named Mcgrady that can pick up the slack while he's on the bench.
The Rockets are also addressing their PG situation, and a newspaper in Denver reported that they have offered a 4 year, $24 million contract to Brent Barry...this would use up their full mid-level exception, meaning that they could only sign other free agents to the minimum. Personally, I'd rather have Derek Fisher at a cheaper price, but Barry is a nice player.
ok mboss now i dont want to start something here, i mean mcgrady is great and may be the best in the nba but he didnt make orlando win and yeah yao and mcgrady may be great but who else do they have thats willing to step up
yeah i agree if i were them i would rather have fisher not barry
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