Come July 1, Tracy McGrady will be the newest Rocket Launcher to look off Yao Ming down low more times than not.
The Clippers have separated themselves from the NBA pack as the most ardent suitor for Shaquille O'Neal's slighted services.
And all that's standing between Rudy Tomjanovich from being hired as Lakers head coach is an interview with Kobe Bryant.
These are a few of my favorite things gleaned from sources very much in the know.
Steve Francis was named in the exchange program prophecy. In less than two weeks when Francis' base year salary status all but evaporates, he'll officially join the Magic along with Cutino Mobley and throw-in Bostjan Nachbar. Juwan Howard and Tyronn Lue will join McGrady in Houston. McGrady earns $13.3 million in '04-05, while Howard pockets $5.4M and Lue $1.65M. Francis is on the books for $12.3M, Mobley $5.88M and Nachbar $1.49M.
From what I'm told, McGrady only had eyes for the Rockets from the git-go. Phoenix interjected itself into the conversation early because it quickly offered to swap Shawn Marion.
The Pacers got consideration late from the Magic (but not McGrady, not really, despite a long, tight relationship with Jermaine O'Neal) when they proposed a deal involving Jeff Foster, Jonathan Bender and Al Harrington, who asked to be traded in his final meeting with CEO Donnie Walsh (no promises were made) regardless of whether Ron Artest is kept or dealt.
Both players blew off the team's last meeting and were fined 5G apiece; Artest has been dangled to the Grizzlies for Muncie, Indiana's Bonzi Wells and a No. 1 pick Memphis doesn't have but is trying to obtain. When the Rockets-Magic arrangement is completed it'll be the most important relocation of an NBA scoring star that doesn't implicate the Birmingham Barons.
Should Shaq shift to the Staples Center's other NBA tenants, my Paper Clips would instantly supplant the L.A. Kings as the second best basketball team in the building.
Do we dare imagine!
Several seasons ago, owner Donald Sterling preferred remaining coach-less during the summer simply to save salary. Now he's prepared to do whatever it takes, it appears, to acquire Shaq as well as extend his substantial salary several seasons in order to keep him beyond the next two.
An entrenched LA monitor reveals how much the Clips ? $3.8M under the $43.8M cap ? want to do business. Elton Brand ($10.96M), Corey Maggette.
Whoever thought this would happen. There was a rumor yesterday saying that if Artest wasnt traded for one of the supertars thats available this summer, then he would most likely go to Memphis. I didnt think we could get him this cheap though. A 1st rounder and a Bonzi for Artest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
