All sorts of talk about Tracy McGrady to the Knicks. Rumor has the potential deal as some combination of Harrington or Hughes (ie, one of their expiring contracts), Jared Jeffries and his nearly $7 mil next year, Jordan Hill (as consolation for taking Jeffries), AND possibly swapping 2011 picks, giving up 2012 first rounder and 2011 second rounder for a McGrady tryout and possibly Joey Dorsey and Brian Cook. SNYny (which has done a great job staying on top of all the Knicks rumors) even claims that it’s Donnie trying to get a Rockets 2010 pick in return that is holding up the deal. Not sure how much sense that makes since any draft pick we obtain eats into this summer’s precious cap space, but I’d have to imagine that it’s the trading of picks in some form that’s holding up the deal.
Clearly, this would be a steep price to pay for McGrady, but this deal is NOT for McGrady, it’s to clear the last remaining cap space needed for the Knicks to obtain two max free agents this summer. Yes, the price is steep because Donnie is backed into a corner (having made his 2010 free agency plans obvious — how could he have hidden them), but clearing JJ is an absolute must. No one was taking that Jeffries contract back without a sweetener and Hill is the best non-impact sweetener we have. Would you rather we include Gallo or Chandler? Heck no.
The inclusion of draft picks is where a lot of us start to get squeamish and for good reason. If Donnie comes up empty with the free agent class this summer, this franchise would appear to be toast with no picks to look forward to and no apparent fall back plan. But, as long as Donnie has the foresight to add lottery protection to any traded picks — an absolute must — then I’m behind the deal. That way, if we crash and burn we’ll still have those lottery protected picks to save us. And, remember, in all likelihood we can always just buy some late first round picks in the future (as we bought the Lakers pick which resulted in Toney Douglas).
What do we expect to get out of McGrady though? Reports have it that this would essential amount to a 30 game try out. I think there is some truth to that. It seems more like a risky, if all else fails this summer fall back plan. I seriously doubt we re-sign McGrady this summer if we can sign Lebron or Joe Johnson or Dwayne Wade, unless it’s on the very cheap. How cheap will depend on how well he plays out the season, and if there is any market for a fragile, yet talented headcase this summer.
As for McGrady’s impact this season, I’m a bit confused. We have Gallo and Chandler. Maybe one of them plays some more 4? Maybe Gallo gets a little rest since he’s hit a bit of a rookie wall. Also, with Jeffries being gone, it seems that Jonathan Bender will be back in the mix, and you have to assume that signing Bender was always about creating a backup plan for Jeffries’ eventual departure. But JJ’s D will sorely be missed, to the point that it will offset any offense McGrady brings to the team.
And, the team’s most pressing need for almost two seasons STILL hasn’t been addressed — we need better PG play! Can Donnie make something happen for DJ Augustin or Luke Ridnour? Could Donnie have trumped the Outlaw/Blake for Camby trade being talked about today, with an offer of “all-star” David Lee? Will Donnie pull the trigger on a Nate Robinson deal, maybe to the Celtics? With Donnie’s ability to hide his trade intentions from the media, you have to think there is one last move up his sleeve?
Update: This is the best article I’ve seen explaining the cap situation this summer for the Knicks.
http://www.hoopdata.com/recent.aspx?aid=155
