The Houston Rockets have a problem (or appear to have a problem) that the Knicks could solve. As weird as this may sound it seems as if Tracy McGrady is the Rockets' problem. (See Houston; We Have A Problem). And the Knicks can and should gladly take this problem off the Rockets' hands. (You know the saying "one man's trash is another man treasure")
The Knicks have the young players and expiring contracts to offer for Tracy. I know alot of people are thinking why should the Knicks get Tracy. Well first and foremost what do the Knicks have to lose; they're near the bottom of the Eastern Conference in terms of wins and everyday their Lebron 2010 bonanza looks less and less likely. Now if the Knicks take a risk and trade for Tracy they not only inherit an all-star player, who if he can get back to his level would easily lead the Knicks back into relevancy and the playoffs.
And here is the spoiler, if Tracy actually returns to form then the Knicks would be able to draw a 2010 top tier free agent to play alongside Tracy and still be able to retain Tracy with Bird rights (a team can re-sign its own free agent even if pushing itself into or further into luxury tax). Now the Knicks would be in luxury tax, but with great cause. Now let’s say the Tracy experiment doesn't work out; the Knicks would be in a better position financially to possible sign two top tier free agents or one top tier and one second tier. So either way it would be a win-win for the Knicks.
The trade that would make this happen would probably involve the Knicks giving up some of their young talent, but the cost is well worth the potential outcome. One such possible trade would involve the Knicks giving up Cuttino Mobley's $9.5 million expiring contract (insurance paid also) with Wilson Chandler ($1.2 million) and Larry Hughes's $13.6 million contract for Tracy and Joey Dorsey. This trade would benefit both because the Rockets would get a player in Chandler would could easily fit into their system, possibly become an understudy of Shane Battier defensively and get an extra defender off the bench in Hughes that could also provide a scoring boost to the bench. Moving Tracy without affecting the current team they have now.
Meanwhile, the Knicks get the scorer they desperately need that could possibly get them to the playoffs and the draw they need to get a top tier free agent to sign on in 2010. I also included Joey Dorsey for the Knicks because first it would be the tough defensive minded player who the Knicks can use in the middle and slide David Lee to his natural position at the 4 when he is in the game. Plus the Rockets have such a glut of bigs that Dorsey was sent to the D-League so Houston wouldn't have a problem parting with Dorsey. In addition, his $880,000 would barely affect the numbers of the trade.
I read a while back on TrueHoop that the Knicks are actually in full pursuit of Tracy McGrady, however their insistence on including Jared Jeffries in the trade is killing the deal. The Knicks need to realize that they have an opportunity to have what could potentially turn out to be one of the top tier free agents of 2010; and they would be in prime position to sign two max contracts regardless of their cap. And even give Tracy a less than a max deal and still have a max-type production.
Now picture Tracy back at 80% to 90% ( which is still 25 pt, 5ast, 5rbs) with a top tier free agent like a Lebron, Dwayne Wade or Chris Bosh. It’s a pretty good picture no matter how you look at it. The best thing about it is Tracy has shown that he can play second fiddle and still be productive as in Toronto (with Vince Carter) and in Houston (with Yao Ming). He has a passe game that can easily allow for someone (who is better) to step in.
The Knicks better make this trade quickly before another team like Portland (who is very desperate for players), or Miami trade for him. Or even worse the Rockets might buy out Tracy and if Tracy chooses who to sign with I don't think the Knicks would be on top of his list at this point in his career. So, the wise move would be to get Tracy.
Guru
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