By K.C. Johnson The Bulls are working to finalize a workout for free agent swingman Tracy McGrady for next Monday, a league source confirmed.
However, the source added that signing McGrady, who is recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee in February 2009, "is probably a longshot." The seven-time All-Star played just 24 games last season.
Bulls management long has had a close relationship with McGrady's agent, Arn Tellem, who is working to find McGrady a home. So the workout is being interpreted by some as either a favor or merely due diligence.
Photo: Knicks guard Tracy McGrady rests on the bench. (Chuck Myers / MCT)
NBA.com first reported the impending McGrady workout. The Tribune first reported the Bulls had contacted Tellem regarding McGrady on July 8.
McGrady worked out for the Clippers on Tuesday. McGrady, 31, started 24 games for the Knicks last season, averaging 9.4 points in 26.1 minutes.
McGrady tweeted today that he's considering the Bulls, along with the Clippers, Lakers and Heat.
McGrady worked out for the Clippers on Wednesday and took a physical on Tuesday, according to ESPN.com.
McGrady played in just 30 games last season with the Knicks and Rockets.
McGrady worked out for the Clippers on Tuesday. McGrady, 31, started 24 games for the Knicks last season, averaging 9.4 points in 26.1 minutes.
McGrady tweeted today that he's considering the Bulls, along with the Clippers, Lakers and Heat.
McGrady worked out for the Clippers on Wednesday and took a physical on Tuesday, according to ESPN.com.
McGrady played in just 30 games last season with the Knicks and Rockets.
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Ok Im Leaning Toward Wanting McGrady For The Right Price... Plus D.Rose Said And I Quote "A player like him, with his experience and how he plays, I think it would help us." Later on in The Same Interview He Said "He's a player. If he just gives us half of what he's got, we'll be all right. .... If Rose Has That Much Confidence In Him Then Im Riding With My All-Star Guard! If He Will Take A Role And The Same As Thomas I Say SIGN HIM UP!!
..O.. And I guess Mr.Asik Would Need A New Number lol
McGrady was never a great player, but he did have a great agent and marketing team behind him. He fooled the media and many fans into thinking he was better than he truly was- which was mediocre. Why sign him even for a minimum when you can sign somebody else who would actually contribute? Why take the spot of someone else who can actually play? IF McGrady signs with a team this season, I put the over-under of games played at 30. McGrady stinks on ice! Bring back Dave Corzine!!
Let's see. He's a selfish cancer with no game left who has never won a playoff series. Yeah, he'd be a good role player I'm sure. Even the Knicks didn't want him back and they're desperate. this is all because Tellem is his client and he wants to boost TMac's value. No thanks.
Alan, don't forget to add Omer Asik and CJ Watson to your list and you've got yourself a Championship formula of roster depth success! Look buddy, I share your frustration also in the other blog posts. I'm a long time die hard and former season ticket holder who's had enough of their conservative ways. I'm with you that the Bulls are doing their typical patch job to compensate for missing out on the stars. I still follow the team because I love the sport and I'm die hard Chicago, but no longer will I ever pay another dime for the organization until that management team goes. They always do well enough to satisfy the fan masses who will continually sell out the UC, but never realize the big picture of continually coming up short and always reliving the Jordan years. However, what's done is done and the Bulls can only by what's left out there in free agency. No one's stopping you from abandoning Bulls support completely, but for me, they're the only decent basketball-watching tv option in town these days. Sorry, Northwestern and DePaul basketball ain't gonna cut it for me. Go Bulls!... but take a hike, GarPaxDorf!
I've noticed a lot of Rudy Fernandez love recently. I agree, try to package a trade for Rudy and Joel Przybilla and you have your backup Center and additional shooter issues solved. Yo GarPaxDorf, Matt Barnes is also still available!
Get a grip, Alan. The Bulls (or any other team) were never in line for Wade, Bosh or LBJ unless things fell through in MIA, and Paul wants to go to the NYK so he can play with Amare (or should I say the $100 million mistake?) -- and even with both of them with the Knicks do you think for a second they will win more games than the Bulls this year? And as far as Boston's Big 3, they are 33, 34 and 35 years old. One good year left for the Celts, maybe two.
I don't know if you are paying attention, but we've got a pretty good PG who will be on Paul's level in a couple of years. Once it all sorts out, in a couple of years the Bulls will be one of the top 5 teams in the league.
Agreed. Most players his age can still play, but he got BAD KNEES..which means no more explosiveness..no more quick first step than made him the All-star that he was. I won't totally oppose if the Bulls sign him though, there are not a lot of good choices around left.
And note to GARPAXDORF..trade for RUDY FERNANDEZ.
McGrady can still play. Only not for long stretches at a time. McGrady may still think he's a prime-time player but those days are long over and he probably wouldn't accept anything near the vet minimum. If McGrady isn't injured he would grumble to be part of the rotation. McGrady was an all-star once but I don't think this guy can last a full season. If McGrady signs a 1,2 or even a 3-year contract for a "reasonable" amount then ok but don't go out of your way to outbid anybody for his services.
Knicks or magic might acquire chris paul,heat got lebron and bosh,Celtics still have their big 3 and the bulls signed Carlos boozer(injury prone undersized Pf),ronnie brewer and Drumroll Kyle korver!!! and now are looking at mcgrady who is done Sounds like a championship team to me
.....ummmm Im 50/50 On This I Mean Can T-Mac Still Sink The Open Three? Or At Least Make Them Enough To Be Respected? If You Can Answer Yes To 1 Of Those Then i Say Get Him If He'll Sign For The Vet's MIn. (Which I Dont Think He Will) .....SHANNON BROWN ANYONE? Imagine Shannon Brown (If We Do Get Him We Gotta Get This Guy A Nickname lol) And D.Rose In A 2 on 1 Fast Break!!!!
Does Jason Capono still knock down 3's? He is available from Philly. Just sayin"
On all accounts, I would say no to Tracy McGrady. He's lost all his explosiveness, and he's half the player he was a few years ago. He can't play defense, can't play more than 15-20 min per game and I'm not sure how he'd fit in with Rose and company. I also dont know if he's willing to take a backup role... a 6th or even 7th man off the bench role. And finally, is willing to play for 2M or so a year?
HOWEVER... the only reason why I would even potentially consider Tracy McGrady is for this reason and this reason only. As of right now, the Bulls do not have a 4th quarter, buzzer beater type closer. I would say that right now, DRose is the guy with the ball in his hands at the end of games but usually guys who are 6'3 like Rose do not fare well during the final shot type moments of a game because that player is often double-teamed and probably getting hacked too... I just dont know if Rose would be able to get a good shot off with his lack of size. Its the Ben Gordon effect. Gordon could light it up but he almost always had problems with buzzer beater final shots and often the shot was wildly heaved up because he was unable to get a clean look... being only 6'2.
The only reason I'd want McGrady is that he's a guy who could potentially take an end of game closing shot in the 4th quarter. I still think he might have what it takes to take the ball, drive, fake if needed and be able to rise up and get a clean final shot off. And at the end of the day, thats what you're really looking for... a good clean look at the basket. He's certainly got the height and length for it... the question is can he get his shooting touch back to an elite level? At the very least, he becomes a guy that the defense has to worry about and keep an eye on at the end of games.
At a vet minimum salary (which I doubt he'd ever agree to) or an extremely short term contract loaded with incentives, why not? The roster is just about set and let him earn the playing time, assuming he passes the physical first of course. Go for it....
If he is healthy then they should definitely do it. There is a low risk of signing him. Our team is basically set. If he is healthy then he becomes a real bargain. If he is not then his low contract will be done at the end of the season and we will still have a deep bench. Then we can dip into the NBDL players if needed. Plus there will be trades available in the middle of the season to get some other players. Now is the time to gamble on McGrady more than ever.
If Grant Hill were out there and could provide off the bench the same stat line he has put up for the Suns the last couple of years, he'd be well worth the vet's exception.
Lets do it and sign him for one year .
The Bulls shouldn't get this guy.. He's done and wouldn't help the Bulls at all.. He would just keep the bench warm.
Don't do it.
He is nothing more than Grant Hill Jr. and would be a complete waste of money.