Where was Tracy McGrady when you need him?
The Knicks could have used T-Mac in last night’s stinker in the Swamp, losing to the pathetic Nets, 104-95, and showing they probably need a boost if they are serious about staying in a playoff race.
But if the Knicks do get McGrady, it might not be for a long while.
According to a source, the Rockets plan to talk to many teams and the McGrady sweepstakes could drag on. Ultimately, the Knicks’ best chance of landing McGrady is not by trade but if he eventually agrees to a Rockets’ buyout after all trade options are exhausted.
“This could take a while,” the source said. “The Rockets want to talk to a lot of teams.”
Back from Japan where he spent the last 10 days, agent Arn Tellem began his marketing of Tracy McGrady, saying T-Mac is healthy, willing and able.
“Tracy is now healthy and is looking forward to contributing to a team this season,” Tellem stated in an e-mail. “He is an incredible talent and a relentless competitor. Any team will be most fortunate to have him.”
Because McGrady’s expiring contract is worth $23.2 million and the Rockets won’t take any bad contracts that eat into their 2010 cap space, a trade to match T-Mac’s salary would be very difficult.
According to a source, the Knicks and Rockets have had “limited” conversations so far about a McGrady deal but things should pick up next week. While in Japan, Tellem’s conversations were limited to the Rockets and McGrady, on a leave of absence.
It is why a buyout might be the solution once Rockets GM Daryl Morey researches all scenarios. It could be a win-win. The Knicks still have their $6 million mid-level exception and can use a portion to sign a free agent. So McGrady could agree to a buyout for a pro-rated $3 million less, saving the Rockets money and ridding them of a headache while the Knicks sign him to a pro-rated $3 million deal.
The biggest problem the Knicks face in a McGrady trade is the Rockets won’t take either Jared Jeffries or Eddy Curry because they, too, want to protect their cap space. The Knicks want to open up more cap room in the deal, but that’s like having their cake and eating it, too.
The Rockets prefer expiring contracts in this deal. If the Knicks want him, they will have to give up Al Harrington, their most marketable player. He and Larry Hughes equal McGrady’s contract number.
Retired Cuttino Mobley’s contract is also attractive as a cost-saver for the Rockets as it is paid mostly by insurance and potentially immune to luxury tax, pending an NBA ruling. But the Knicks want the savings, too.
At this point, the Knicks don’t want him bad enough to give up Harrington.
McGrady, 30, is bouncing back from microfracture knee surgery, the same operation that ended Allan Houston’s career. McGrady played just six games with the Rockets this season, averaging 7.7 minutes.
Mike D’Antoni said he was “intrigued,” but also not definitive.
“It’s also a question, can he help us make the playoffs?” D’Antoni said. “Those are things you explore. You try to make the best decision and hope it’s the right move and go with it.”
Last night, it looked like he couldn’t hurt.