The McGrady Risk

by Tommy Dee on December 30th, 2009 at 12:10 am

As the discussion surrounding where Tracy McGrady will ultimately land, what’s clear is that the Knicks seem to be the most logical destination. Last year, with the Knicks in a groove, Donnie Walsh made the necessary decision to trade both Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford, two contracts who exceeded July 1, 2010. The results on the court were horrid, and the team lost any momentum from November on.

Now as we head into the New Year, what will Walsh do? Yahoo is reporting that the Rockets are considering taking back salary, and the Knicks would love to include Jared Jeffries. But in order for the contracts to fit, it seems the Knicks would also have to include Larry Hughes in the deal as well.

“McGrady is making a league-high $23 million in the final year of his contract, and won’t be easy to trade given his large salary and how little teams have seen him play this season,” wrote Adrian Wojnarowski.

“Rival teams say the Rockets are willing to take back long-term money for the right trade with McGrady, but no deal appears imminent. Talks could pick up closer to the trade deadline in February when cost-cutting franchises may be more attracted to McGrady’s expiring contract.”

The Rockets should listen hard to the deal based on the fact that at $73.5 million the team is roughly $3.5 million dollars over the luxury tax threshold estimated at $69.9 million. Hughes and Jeffries make a combined $20.1 million versus McGrady’s remaining $22.8, and that near 3 million can make it easier to avoid the luxury tax. Should the Rockets demand, say, Jordan Hill, it doesn’t help that number, but it does bring back more talent. In turn, do the Knicks ask for Kyle Lowry should they part ways with Hill?

Sure, the Rockets are flooded with forwards, but Carl Landry, Brian Cook, Chuck Hayes and Luis Scola are in the last years of their contracts and adding Jeffries gives them another option up front for next year, needless to say Jeffries adds depth at the center position. more.
  • Magik_Trick

    Just another player taking away shots from Gallo and Will….

    No Go, unless they decide to take on Curry

  • itzyung1

    Yea we are winning now but what about when we are losing in the 4th quarter and we need that go-to guy? What about that Leadership we still lack? what about that All Star we need?
    I say trade for Mcgrady ASAP. If Hughes and Jeffries get it done…BYE LARRY.

  • itzyung1

    Yea but his are going to go in more.

  • bobobo

    The Rockets are not interested in Eddy Curry at all? I just out in Eddy/Hughes for McGrady and it works perfectly fine. Why wouldn’t they go for that trade?

  • bobobo

    Trade MAchine on ESPN said it would work.

  • DVJ

    I can’t wait to hear what people have to say about Donnie when they hear about this deal.

    In Donnie We Trust!!

  • italian stallion

    I think almost anything that includes Hill is probably a bad idea unless Curry is part of it. Unless you think Hill is a bust, we might actually be trading a cheap future very good player (Hill) for a more expensive player that is very good now (any free agent not named Jame and Wade). At least dumping Curry is worth a ton of money next year.

  • DaGawD_KnowLedge

    sorry to bust every1’s bubble but i think the cavs might get mcgrady.

    the knicks are not getting anything until 2010 summer ok.

    mcgrady on the knicks is like wishing the knick signed A.i

  • DaGawD_KnowLedge

    any deal the knicks make has to
    include the coach

    thats just my take on things

  • itzyung1

    Sorry to burst your attempt at bursting everyone elses bubble but if The Cav’s aren’t trading Shaq to Houston they ain’t getting T Mac.

  • slambam

    I agree. I am not and never was a Jordan Hill fan, but you can’t trade your #8 selection for a rent-a-player (even an immensely talented one). I personally believe he’ll be a bust but the Knicks just can’t give up on him right now. I’m all for bringing T-Mac in for Hughes and Jeffries, i’ve always been a T-Mac fan and despite losing Jeffires I think we’d be better this season with a proven go to guy.

  • slambam

    D’Antoni is the biggest reason the Knicks are in striking distance of the 8th seed. You don’t know what you’re talking about.

  • DaGawD_KnowLedge

    who are u

    danni boy’s son?

  • DaGawD_KnowLedge

    thats how it might go down

    shaq on the cavs isn’t working out

  • CircleLimit4

    Off topic but Blazers waved Tolliver (a PF/C) and sent Patty Mills down to the D-League. Maybe a move is about to be made there.

  • choggs

    sorry to burst both of your bubbles..

    but beyonce had one of the best videos of all time..of all time.

  • CircleLimit4

    Off topic but Blazers waved Tolliver (a PF/C which they desperately need) and sent Patty Mills down to the D-League. Perhaps a move is about to be made there?

  • CircleLimit4

    Sorry for the double post.

  • Rene

    One thing is for sure after tonight’s game is David Lee is a keeper.I don’t think we should have a problem trading Jeffries that should be our main goal .Hill is a keeper too.I would think we could find a better deal to dump Jeffries.Tmac is worth a shoot but only if they take parts that don’t include our core.If they take both Jeffries and Curry I would include Hill but not for just dumpingJJ.The thinking is we sign Lee,Lebron ,Bosh and Johnson as our ultimate goal.And keep Chandler & Gallo.Chandler can guard multiple positions and is strong I wouldn’t include him that easy in a dumping move,Lee and Gallo are future stars with Lee playing in allstar form as of late.I rather have Lee than Bosh really his defense sucks so he would be the least guy I would get out of the three but his height and his relation with Lebron might motivate him to new heights like Gasol with Kobe.But Lee is playing great and so is Lebron,Johnson we might be able to get cheaper than max to play with Lebron and DAnt in the big Apple.

  • jho

    And why would the rockets want to trade for old and unmovable shaq? he totally doesn’t fit their current team chemistry right now, whereas jeffries and hughes could find roles.

  • bob go knicks

    quick!someone wake up Donnie Walsh,the trade deadline is in 2 months.Hes been asleep since Draft night

  • bob go knicks

    HILL is a bigger bust than Pam Andersons left one

  • bob go knicks

    is this dejavu?did you write this already,or is my ambien starting to kick in?

  • bob go knicks

    are you saying that lees defense is good?

  • x-man

    We’re not half way thru the season and you’re praising us from being within a striking distance from 8TH SEED? hahahahaha

    It’s a wonder why Tiger Woods got althete of the decade and no honorable mentioning of D’Antoni as coach of that decade.

    I can see you’re a mighty low expectation brotha! lol

  • x-man

    Lee is playing well now but let’s see him be consistent like a star should. I’ve seen this from Lee at pt during the year and then he does a Chandler!

    However, Lee’s shot has improved quite noticeably. His defense is still suspect.

  • x-man

    Shaq is there only for Orlando. McGrady would help too if he could guard Rashard Lewis. Otherwise Shaq is excited again to one up Kobe in being the 1st one win more rings without the other and he will do it with 3 different teams.

  • Aussie Gary

    I still haven’t gotten to see a Knicks game over here but was able to watch the Rockets v. New Orleans game live today on our sports channel. During the pregame interviews they spoke with Rick Adelman about the looming trade of Tracey McGrady. He said that McGrady thinks he can still do things to help a team but the Rockets are not of that opinion and there was no longer a place for him in Houston. The Rockets had pretty good ball movement today and they shot a very high percentage from 3 point range. If McGrady is not going to help them, then he is probably not going to help us either. I’d rather we tried to stay competitive instead of blowing up the team again. We’re currently playing pretty well by most accounts. Jefferies has been a real contributor to this recent good run. His contributions don’t show up in the score column, as many of you have pointed out that he is a terrible finisher and a poor shooter overall. However, he plays defense and understands his role in the offense. I’m thinking that if he resigns cheaply, he’s a keeper as a role player next season, instead of starting as he has recently. If he signs for say 1-2 million his versatility could have added value to an improved Knicks team. I also see Lee as a definite keeper. Why take the risk of going out and signing a Stoudamire type who may be able to cope with New York and may play well when you have David Lee who is coping with New York and is playing very well and who is constantly striving to get better? We should go forward with him as part of our core for next season. The guy contributes and being a poor defender is fixable. He has a high basketball IQ. David Lee hasn’t reached his peak yet. You can’t say that about some of the names being thrown around as his replacement. Curry is a totally different story to Jefferies. Curry is the guy they need to get rid of and that is looking like a mission impossible this year. I’d like to see what Hill can become before he is ditched as a trade throwin. Next year Curry’s contract will be worth something when it expires and he will struggle to get another contract because of his lousy work ethic. We’ve beaten the Eddy Curry story to death on here. He won’t opt out no matter how bad things get because he would never get anywhere near the money. Let that lazy slob rot on the end of the bench. I don’t think that the Knicks thought internally that they would be this competitive with the number of teams that they are competitive with this season. The plan for the future may need to change a little bit. If our current players are contributors, why not keep them and let them keep contributing? And for all the hits that D’Antoni is taking from this blog, you have to give the guy some credit. He has molded this group into a functional unit. I wrote weeks ago about team chemistry and the synergistic effect (2+3=7). It appears to be happening. Guys have accepted roles and the team is playing a lot harder now.

  • DaGawD_KnowLedge

    lee’s agent is looking for 10-20 mill a year for lee..

  • Aussie Gary

    If David Lee keeps playing the way he is currently playing, then he deserves to get $10-$12 million and I would like to see the Knicks take that option as opposed to giving more money to a player like Stoudamire, who may not work out in NY. Lee is on the way up and Stoudamire has had some serious injuries and is past his best. Numbers wise, I like Lee better than Bosh. He would give similar production for a lot less dollars. Lee, Gallo, Chandler, Hill, Douglas, Duhon and Jefferies will probably all be rotation players next season. Darko and Nate will be gone. Harrington and Hughes will also probably not be here. Curry will occupy a seat on the bench. If signing Lee means we only sign one max FA next year then we only sign one max free agent. The year after Curry disappears and we sign another. Meanwhile players like Chandler, Gallo and hopefully, at some stage, Hill get to develop. By 2012 we have a core that can take us places we haven’t been for a while.

  • Aussie Gary

    It’s difficult posting at this hour when most of you are asleep. 4:59 post is out of sequence for some reason. My 2nd post is the reply.

  • joetheknick

    Good post. I agree that DW needs to work on re signing Lee. McGrady for Curry and spare parts works for the Knicks. Giving up Hill would be a huge mistake. Trading Jeffries could throw the team into a losing spiral. Stay the course. Trade Nate Robinson for a point guard would be a great addition. Douglas is coming along but he needs more time. Go Knicks!

  • JeffFinance123

    I’ve figured out an absolute perfect three way trade. I hope Donnie Walsh reads this:

    Chicago Bulls get Al Harrington and Nate Robinson
    Houston Rockets get Brad Miller and Jared Jeffries
    New York Knicks get Tracy McGrady

    Rockets save $4 million in luxury tax money plus prorated portion of $4million in salaries rest of year. So that’s probably over $6 million total savings. Get two very useful players with size for rest of year and for playoffs. Only Jeffries has salary past 2010.

    Bulls lose Miller, but get two impact scorers that they desperately need without taking on any 2010 salary. Bulls are known to really covet Harrington. Getting two scorers without giving up any core pieces is a big win.

    Knicks open cap space for 2010 with this move and at same time get a “franchise player” the rest of the season. Probably hurts Knicks win total this season, but dumping Jeffries very worth it.

    The math works all workds. Tried it in ESPN trade machine.

    Get it done, Walsh!!!!!!

  • joetheknick

    Your proposal makes a lot of sense. With McGrady at 2. Chandler at 3 and Gallinari at 4. More time to work in Hill. Hopefully McGrady is a fit albeit short term. That leaves only Eddy Curry for the press to talk about.

  • Knicks4life

    Agree with most of this except that David Lee’s defense is fixable. I think they have worked with him on it and he is just not a natural defender. Not only is the effort not there but the timing is just way off. He has improved in all other areas of his game though.

    And Jeffries can’t resign cheaply next year because he is a guaranteed contract for $6 mil +.

  • potaracke

    Um, if you’re trading for T-Mac to be your “go-to” guy, you can forget it. His legs are done and have been for a couple of years.

    It’s his gi-normous expiring salary we need and if we can send back JJ’s $6.8M for next year, I say, “Book it!”

  • potaracke

    I would be VERY surprised if Morey would EVER consider Curry in any T-Mac deal. EC is not his type of player, i.e. hard-working, not fat. (Although EC backing up a returning Yao next season makes a little sense.)

    I would suggest Hughes + JJ + Nate – gives Houston some pieces to play with, costs them only JJ’s $6.3M next year, still works on the Trade Machine and rids us of two problems (JJ’s contract and Nate’s b.s.).

  • potaracke

    As much as we all are drooling over T-Mac’s expiring deal, so is the rest of the League. And Morey is no fool.

    Having said that, we have so many expiring deals and two 2011 expiring deals that Morey has to at least consider what we have to offer…

  • potaracke

    His agent is smoking some good crack…

  • potaracke

    I completely agree with the incremental approach to FA signings over the next couple of years. If we can only get one this summer, then let’s make it count. Don’t destroy the (very) fragile momentum we have. Whether our cap space is filled by LBJ (please, God, please) or Joe Johnson or, to channel Will Ferrell, maybe it’s [someone] really cool that I don’t even know about.

  • potaracke

    Oh, it’s on! I spent a bit of time last night working on this doozy:

    Chicago gets Harrington
    Houston gets Kevin Martin, Curry
    Sactown gets Nate Robinson, Jeffries, Darko
    Utah gets Mobley, Cook
    NYK get McGrady, Kenny Thomas, Tyrus Thomas, Jerome James

    Chicago gets more scoring this year and $4M more in cap relief this summer.

    Houston gets a polished SG and a back up for a recoverying Yao next year. (Admittedly this is the trickiest part of my proposal…)

    Sacramento gets some serious cap relief and to audition Nate to be their sixth man.

    Utah gets immediate cap relief (assuming insurance pays Mobley’s contract) – something they desperately need (see: Maynor trade).

    And our beloved Knicks get to audition Boozer in D’A's offense, a young 4 in Thomas and all the cap flexibility this summer we could ever hope for.

    And, yes, this works in the Trade Machine.

    This leaves us with an 8-man rotation of Lee, Boozer/Thomas, Chandler/Gallinari, McGrady/Hughes and Duhon. Daddy likey…

  • potaracke

    Sorry, I forgot to add Boozer in my list of NYK acquisitions at the beginning. I guess I was too excited…

  • Chris Alvino

    I like this trade idea, but it stands to destroy the rest of this season. It sounds pretty fair though.

    The Bulls do make out the best though, no question. Getting Al and Nate for Miller?

    Good idea, though.

  • Chris Alvino

    Potaracke- There is no way a deal like that happen for the simple fact that it is too large and too complicated. Also, there is no way the Jazz trade Boozer for Mobley and Cook. They would get buried for that.

  • Chris Alvino

    Just for fun, the Knicks would make out like bandits in your deal…

    TMac, Boozer, Ty Thomas…Not giving up Lee / Chandler / Gallo / Hill

    That 8 man rotation would lead us not only into the playoffs, but perhaps up to the 5th or 6th seed.

  • JeffFinance123

    Do you really care about “destroying” team or do you want 2010 cap space?

    If you want 2010 to work, you have to go “all in”. This is a fair trade for Rockets and Bulls, and that’s why Walsh should suggest it.

  • krayziehustler

    lmao, funniest comment i read on this site…ever

  • krayziehustler

    david lee is like zach randolph, puts up good numbers, doesnt play defense and won’t give him the ball if the games is on the line

  • Ray

    I think we need to pay David Lee next year all the money that he has worked hard for. He work has payed off and now we see the result. Trade Jeffries and slide Hill in as our center. He will rebound and block shots and has a better jumper than Jeffries. The guards will have to do what they are supposed to do and guard guards. Lee should definitely be here for the future he deserves it.

  • potaracke

    A fella can dream, though…

  • TinmanJr

    I agree on keeping Lee, home grown talent that has put in the time and effort and is constantly improving. The glaring weaknesses are at the center position, a consistent SG and point. Why not try to trade Nate to LA for Mbenga, a mobile shot blocking center.. The players to keep Lee, Gallo, Chandler, Hill, Douglas, Harrington the 6th man because he wants to stay in NY and as much as I hate to say it JJ unless we can get a shot blocker. I am against taking on any more damaged players. The team is finally starting to get chemistry and an identity, we need a go to superstar but they also have to see what they will be joining.

  • BiggieSmalls

    So you’re OK with paying David Lee and Not getting Lebron ?

  • slambam

    It’s almost 2010 and the knicks have a chance at the playoffs. When was the last time they made it? And after our awful start, it’s impossible not to recognize how his coaching changes and his system improved the situation for our team THIS season. So yes, with the talent level of our team, I’m praising him for putting us in striking distance form the 8th seed, and for good reason.

  • Mal

    I cant call Hill a bust if DAntoni wont play him, we cant call Darko a bust he doesnt get playing time, when this dude got time he did contribute to the Magic and Grizzlies, heck the Hulk Eddy doesnt really get time so if a player doesnt get time I wont call him a bust.

    Since Nate is done, he’d be a good backup to Brooks and Landry they just couldnt play together they be VERY short

  • josh h

    not even close to being like Randolph. Lee has a great FG%, last year he had one of the top 5 FG% in the league. Randolph scores 20+ points a night but it takes him 30 shots to do so.

    Lee is a great player for D’Antoni’s system, and should be kept for next season. His defense has picked up in the past few games, and he even held Tim Duncan to 13 points. Giving him 9Mil a season for 4 years would be a steal!

  • josh h

    we should make a run at another Rocket. Chase Buddinger is going to be amazing, trade Mobleys expiring contract for him, though I am not sure how trades with rookies work. Do they have to be on a team for a certain amount of time?

  • HaS

    LeBron has reached his ceiling already.

    Lee is just scratching the surface of what he’s going to become. With his leadership, that tireless work ethic and tenacious, hardworking, hustling attitude he hits the floor with every night the sky is the limit. 10 million would be a bargain to have him on the team.

    I think they should stop having him waste energy running down to the defensive end of the floor just to stand around. He’s already doing so much already. He’s got the whole team on his back already. Lee will lead the Knicks back to respectability singlehandedly. I predict his #42 jersey will be the next to be raised into the rafters.

  • rocky

    I’d love a curry- and change for T Mac but I think the bulls can offer
    better in Tyrus Thomas,

    I sense that T Mac’s game will resemble Penny Hardaway’s
    after Penny’s many injuries. But who knows?

    It would be fun to audition him and lose the Curry tract but I don’t think it’s happnin,

  • oscar f

    anyone who thinks that it is more important to keep JJ in hopesof making the playoffs is crazy and knows nothing about the game. It is far more important and useful to have his almost 7 mil come off the books if the knicks wanna be successful in geting another fato attract LBJ . DO you guys really tink he is coming here to play in NY because we have JJ. GET REAL . you guys wouldbe very upset if we kept him and still didnt make the playoffs.

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    [...] into the 8th seed? I think some Knick fans think that player is Tracy McGrady, but that’s a big question mark for me. They will have to trade rotation players to be able to match salaries. If the Rockets take back [...]

  • Mucha

    Yes the Jazz will do everything to help us because they don’t like lottery picks…

  • x-man

    I agree. Priceless comment choggs! lol