McGrady: Magic need more then #1 pick to keep him.

[Jackal]

McGrady: I have no desire to go through a long term rebuilding process.

Having already endured a dreadful 21-61 season, McGrady told FLORIDA TODAY that he has no desire to go through a long-term rebuilding process or witness the growing pains of a kid making the leap from the preps to the pros. McGrady can opt out of his contract following next season, and says that he will have an answer as to his future in Orlando for the Magic brass by July.

He said he's "90 percent sure what he's going to do," adding that there are two teams -- the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs -- that he would like to play for if he decides to leave Orlando. He stressed that the deciding factor will be the Magic's ability to significantly upgrade the roster this summer via trades, free agency and the draft.

"The dilemma for the franchise is, 'Do you want to try and win now or wait two or three years for a guy to develop?' " McGrady said from his home in suburban Orlando. "I'm just saying, I'm not trying to wait that long to win. I was in that situation last year and I just can't see going another couple of years losing and waiting on players to develop. I just don't think I can do that.

"I just think that it would be best to go get a guy ready to fill a role and contribute right away."

"From what I'm hearing, (Okafor) is really not 6-10 and he's more like 6-8," McGrady said. "Now, if he has the heart and determination like a Ben Wallace, it won't matter how tall he is. I'm not questioning the guy's ability, but there seems to be a lot of unknowns out there now."

If they do manage to get Okafor, and eventually trade him, I think Okafor will play 200% harder just to make McGrady eat dust.

McGrady said an earlier report that he had given the Magic four teams he would accept a trade to was "half right." He has a close relationship with Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, his Isleworth neighbor in the summer. And he would be interested in playing with the Spurs because of the opportunity to play alongside of two-time MVP Tim Duncan.

McGrady in SA along side Tim Duncan? Oh boy.

Tracy McGrady along side Shaquille O'Neal in a Laker uniform? Yay.

Kobe Bryant along side Tim Duncan in a Spurs uniform? Oh boy.

Any sub-par player along side Tim Duncan in a Spurs uniform? Enough said.

Don't go to SA, please don't go to SA.

Well, another possibility is the Magic trading Okafor for a vet who could make an instant impact. Will it happen? What will happen?

Edit: Article # 2.

[KillaCam1100]

T-Mac sucks.......

[Mazzocchi]

T-Mac sucks.......

u suck lol

But i think Shaq's gonna go to Orlando, that would be awesome
Shaq n T-Mac

[Jackal]

How would he get to Orlando? Okafor for Shaq? Won't be happening.

Shaq's not going to be a free agent for another two years, by that time his value *may* have dipped. I dont see any other Orlando player being traded for Shaq, not enough talent.

Killacam, stop doing what you're doing. It's annoying, post something besides a oneliner, if it is a one liner, make it witty or atleast worth reading.

[KillaCam1100]

T-Mac sucks.......

u suck lol

But i think Shaq's gonna go to Orlando, that would be awesome
Shaq n T-Mac

Cool!!! Two cock-eye players, on one team.

[.]

The only chance he will go to Los Angeles, is if Kobe decides to sign with another team, Dr Jerry Buss and Mitch Kupchak both said that there is no way that they will trade Kobe Bryant, not even for McGrady who is the only players valuable enough to fit in his shoes Imo.

Duncan and McGrady would be a sick one two punch, but I still like the Shaq & Kobe better, because Shaq is more powerfull...I dont see Duncan slamming it down like Shaq does whenever T-Mac is driving to the lane and dish it off, and second....I still believe Kobe is a better player, and the All defensive team/all NBA 1st team proves it.

[Mazzocchi]

How would he get to Orlando? Okafor for Shaq? Won't be happening.

Shaq's not going to be a free agent for another two years, by that time his value *may* have dipped. I dont see any other Orlando player being traded for Shaq, not enough talent.

Killacam, stop doing what you're doing. It's annoying, post something besides a oneliner, if it is a one liner, make it witty or atleast worth reading.

na me n my dad bolth figure it would be smart for like
Magics 1st Pick <---> Shaq

[Jackal]

You're dad actually agreed to that? How? What are you feeding him? (j/k)

No seriously, it's not possible, Shaq is way more valuable to the Lakers for just a number one pick in the draft, not possible. What are you on?

[Amphatoast]

KillaCam1100 reminds me of JasonDuncan or whatever that kid name was lol..

anyway this is a really strong statement from Tracy McGrady. I don't think he wants to stay in Orlando next year. He wants a championship now and wants a dominant player next to him. Too bad he isn't considering the Timberwolves...send sprewell, wally and some fillers for McGrady..T-mac+KG=

[Mazzocchi]

You're dad actually agreed to that? How? What are you feeding him? (j/k)

No seriously, it's not possible, Shaq is way more valuable to the Lakers for just a number one pick in the draft, not possible. What are you on?

i think if they have to re-build after this season (which they are) cuz malone, payton and maybe kobe (cuz hes a FA) and no more Phill they need a young superstar and Okafor is just that

[EGarrett]

KillaCam,

Try to add more to the discussions. We consider any post that doesn't make an argument, ask a question or present new information as spam, and they tend to bring things down a bit. Your sig should also be smaller. Thanks.

This is an interesting thread btw, I'm going to read it and offer my thoughts in a bit.

[Jackal]

i think if they have to re-build after this season (which they are) cuz malone, payton and maybe kobe (cuz hes a FA) and no more Phill they need a young superstar and Okafor is just that

If Kobe decides to leave (which I doubt), that would mean that a couple of millions come off the salary, thus allowing the Lakers to sign some other players. I really dont think LA would be willing to give up a still dominant Shaquille O'Neal for an unproven rookie. No, it's not likely to happen. Mitch would be nut for doing something as crazy as this. Plus a couple of million from Payton + Malone, it's not much, but they wont start rebuilding after this season.

[Steve04]

There is no way the current Lakers team would be the current San Antonio team plus McGrady in a 7 game series IMO. Ok, maybe they might. But man..that would be too scary. The Lakers need athleticism, shooting and YOUTH.

[matmat8]

Okafor is not the player who can replace shaq
I see okafor more a college superstar than an nba one.
He will probably be good but not a player you can build on...
I wouldn't trade kobe or shaq for anything that's in the league right now but if kobe leaves t-mac would be the only one to be considered.

[Fresh8]

Why we talkin about Okafor? Wat about Howard???

And if Kobe stays- I guarantee that if Kobe says to kick Phil out, Shaq and Payton will leave too!

[Jackal]

Don't guaruntee unless you're the Lakers' personal bus boy.

Even then, dont do it. Lakerville = unpredictable...it's tinseltown.

Howard won't be going # 1, gut feeling.

[beau_boy04]

I'd like to see T-Mac, Kobe and Shaq in the same team. What would be the most amazing 1 -2 - 3 punch ever assembled. Anything could happen, the Lakers could offer malone and payton and future draft picks for T Mac... if this scenario becomes reality and somehow managed to keep Shaq and Kobe, the Lakers would be set for many years to come meaning more championship rings...

[Drex]

Finally T-Mac realized he needs to play with a great post-player, like Duncan or Shaq, not averages like Gooden or Howard.

[Nick]

Hey you know what'd be radical? Tmac and Amare.

Although i'd rather see Kobe come to Phoenix.. tmac would be nice (not if we have to give joey though)

[Colin]

tmac on phoenix, I would buy that jersey in 3 seconds. Giving up Joe would suxor though.

[jwin]

philly should go after t-mac, he'd be much more capable of getting his shots alongside ai than i think big dog can, and if they dangle robinson, the 9th pick and some other eye candy they might be able to work out something, and at least orlando would be getting a proven scorer to go along with the first and ninth picks.

ai,t-mac, kt, dalembert, and snow is a much better defensive team than with big dog, and t-mac's driving ability could make for easier shots for ai as well as korver,salmons and green.
there isn't anyone philly will get at the 9th spot that is going to put them back into finals contention, so mcgrady would be the best thing they could come away with this offseason, realistically that is.

[Jay-Peso]

T-Mac is a great player and I do believe he should stay. Michael Jordan started out with a team that was not so great and after a few years of development and getting the right players on their team, they started to win. If T-Mac waits it out maybe he can do the same and maybe win a championshio. If he leaves though how would he know if he could have 3 years down the road? He would not. Just think of the Lakers sharing the ball with one more superstar, that would be very tough. Also, Spurs might be a good fit for T-Mac but I still think he should stay and try to win some with a team that is less talented and work their way up to the top!!!!!

[matmat8]

T-Mac is a great player and I do believe he should stay. Michael Jordan started out with a team that was not so great and after a few years of development and getting the right players on their team, they started to win. If T-Mac waits it out maybe he can do the same and maybe win a championshio. If he leaves though how would he know if he could have 3 years down the road? He would not. Just think of the Lakers sharing the ball with one more superstar, that would be very tough. Also, Spurs might be a good fit for T-Mac but I still think he should stay and try to win some with a team that is less talented and work their way up to the top!!!!!

What if he stays and never wins anything
He's a great player (i don't like ) and he has to be ambitious.
If orlando doesn't offer him a championship team he should leave.

[Drex]

philly should go after t-mac, he'd be much more capable of getting his shots alongside ai than i think big dog can, and if they dangle robinson, the 9th pick and some other eye candy they might be able to work out something, and at least orlando would be getting a proven scorer to go along with the first and ninth picks.

ai,t-mac, kt, dalembert, and snow is a much better defensive team than with big dog, and t-mac's driving ability could make for easier shots for ai as well as korver,salmons and green.
there isn't anyone philly will get at the 9th spot that is going to put them back into finals contention, so mcgrady would be the best thing they could come away with this offseason, realistically that is.

As much as I like that idea, I don't think that would happen . AI could have a proven scorer with him, a complete player...but, , naah, the Magic wouldn't trade him for Robinson and the 9th pick. Besides, as I said earlier in a post, T-Mac wants to play with a big man like Duncan.

Hey you know what'd be radical? Tmac and Amare.

That would be awesome, but how can Phoenix take McGrady? Trading Matrix and picks?

[Jay-Peso]

T-Mac is a great player and I do believe he should stay. Michael Jordan started out with a team that was not so great and after a few years of development and getting the right players on their team, they started to win. If T-Mac waits it out maybe he can do the same and maybe win a championshio. If he leaves though how would he know if he could have 3 years down the road? He would not. Just think of the Lakers sharing the ball with one more superstar, that would be very tough. Also, Spurs might be a good fit for T-Mac but I still think he should stay and try to win some with a team that is less talented and work their way up to the top!!!!!

What if he stays and never wins anything
He's a great player (i don't like ) and he has to be ambitious.
If orlando doesn't offer him a championship team he should leave.

That's the thing. What if he stays and does not win? Well, he would never know because he had left to another team. It is all up to him because I know alot of teams will take him in because of how great he really is. The thing is can he play with another superstar?