NBA Free Agency Rumor: Tracy McGrady Strongly Interested In Lakers?

[zigomanisinsider]

Tracy McGrady would like to sign with the 2010 NBA champion Lakers, and has forwarded that sentiment to his agent and close colleagues, according to sources within the Lakers' front office.

Tracy McGrady, a perennial All-Star and two-time NBA Scoring champion, has undergone a significant hit to his reputation after failed stints in Toronto, Orlando, and Houston. To date, McGrady has not gone past the first-round in the NBA playoffs

The Lakers are willing to explore a potential reunion of former Houston teammates Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady once the July 1 free agency begins

In Los Angeles, Tracy McGrady would be asked to come off the bench as a role player, similar to what Lakers' forward Lamar Odom has done in the past two seasons. McGrady would provide the Lakers' bench unit with some offensive firepower and stability, and be another deadly weapon in the already loaded Lakers' arsenal.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/409052-nba-free-agency-tracy-mcgrady-strongly-interested-in-lakers

[goofyre]

He'd sell his soul to win a championship. Going to LA would give him a good chance to get one.

[cecbo]

He would have to take a severe pay cut to have the chance at winning a title with LA. It wouldn't be all that bad to have some added firepower in the 2nd unit though...

[Goat Milk]

wow...

The Lakers bench is a misery. Getting Tmac off the bench would instantly make them the favorites to 3 peat regardless of where other free agents sign.

A lot of people think McGrady is washed up He's a great facilitator, would be perfect for LA

[jlgarciaiii22]

Too many injuries... Not worth the risk in my opinion!

[zigomanisinsider]

Too many injuries... Not worth the risk in my opinion!

whats the risk if he taking paycut

[Foals]

Not a good move for the Lakers imo, but that was also said when Artest joined the team

[kobefanatic]

a great bargain for the MLE

[Sportsbetting123]

That would definitely give their offense a little boost.

[str]

Coming off the bench and getting paid bench money would probably be as good for him as it would be LA. Cutting minutes should help him health wise and can not see why LA would not do this. Think it makes them better still.

[jennahazeplays]

would be bad move for lakers

[kobefanatic]

tmac has respect for kobe, so he wouldn't be too much of a headcase, kobe needs some rest too, so with tmac able to backup kobe for spot minutes it will surely benefit kobe in the long run

[Grits n' Gravy]

From what he showed in the little time he played last season, he doesn't have much left. Coming off bench for a good team would be the best thing for him. Guess he'd eat up Sasha and Walton's minutes.

[Jedi]

Lakers won't take him... why would they? they're fine w/out him... in NBA you needs eyes, hands and LEGS... no go

[eberetta1]

I think anyone in the NBA that wants a championship ring would look into playing for the Lakers...

[Goat Milk]

Lakers won't take him... why would they? they're fine w/out him... in NBA you needs eyes, hands and LEGS... no go

LA won't win again next year unless they sign solid free agent to play off the bench when artest is eating a dick offensively. LA will get back to the finals and defnitely lose next year unless they sign a player like McGrady, Joe Johnson, etc. They need an offensive threat off the bench.

[Grits n' Gravy]

LA won't win again next year unless they sign solid free agent to play off the bench when artest is eating a dick offensively. LA will get back to the finals and defnitely lose next year unless they sign a player like McGrady, Joe Johnson, etc. They need an offensive threat off the bench.

Joe Johnson is not going to be coming off the bench anywhere and LA can't afford him.

[kobefanatic]

raja bell is another one interested in signing with the lakers

[kobefanatic]

tmac for the MLE and raja for the bi annual exception or veteran minimum

[kobefanatic]

they just need a kwame brown type of bruiser for 10- 15 minutes off the bench and they're already set

[kobefanatic]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AsMnWjtM8LNHt0UlaPcOlY68vLYF?slug=ys-belllakers062210

[Dexter]

i hate when players sign on at the end of their career to get a cheap ring.....tmac

[poochiecollins]

Eberetta1, is that pic of you? You look like a [insert most appropriate ethnicity] version of my dad. That's weird shit.

i hate when players sign on at the end of their career to get a cheap ring.....tmac

How can you blame them? They're usually quite wealthy by that point. Why should they play for $4 million instead of $2 million, adding 1% to their wealth and playing on a team with no chance at a championship?

[Goat Milk]

Joe Johnson is not going to be coming off the bench anywhere and LA can't afford him.

Yeah I know JJ won't but he can even play PG. He plays PG for ATL a lot and guards PG's defensively. Just an option, but LA needs a solid PG and another scoring option off the bench if they want to have a shot to 3 peat.

Wade is gonna win his 2nd ring next year. You will see.

[Bradyd]

wow...

The Lakers bench is a misery. Getting Tmac off the bench would instantly make them the favorites to 3 peat regardless of where other free agents sign.

A lot of people think McGrady is washed up He's a great facilitator, would be perfect for LA

That has to be the most reckless comment I heard all week ... How can you say with straight face? Contrary to popular belief, dynasties are mostly built from monster trades and free agency pickups... And far as TMac not being washed up... let me put it this way, a non washed up TMac doesn't come off the bench. There is always room for a non washed up TMAC in the starting lineup..

[Goat Milk]

That has to be the most reckless comment I heard all week ... How can you say with straight face? Contrary to popular belief, dynasties are mostly built from monster trades and free agency pickups... And far as TMac not being washed up... let me put it this way, a non washed up TMac doesn't come off the bench. There is always room for a non washed up TMAC in the starting lineup..

Lakers don't need another playmaker next to Kobe Bryant and even if Tmac comes to LA he will not start unless he runs the point because Artest already won a ring and he's locked in at the 3 spot. LA needs a legitimate scorer/playmaker off the bench if they do not get one they will not win next year. Period.

[Grits n' Gravy]

they just need a kwame brown type of bruiser for 10- 15 minutes off the bench and they're already set

Kwame Brown couldn't even give a wnba team 10-15 bruiser minutes.

[kobefanatic]

Kwame Brown couldn't even give a wnba team 10-15 bruiser minutes.

he is a good low post defender watch some games, but worthless on offense, who would you rather have for the vet minimum? mbenga or kwame?

[BROOKLYN BOY]

'Me MAC" is totally washed up and is a loser. Would be a terrible move by any team to sign him.

[Domestic]

He might be interested but I bet the lakers aren't.

[Bradyd]

Lakers don't need another playmaker next to Kobe Bryant and even if Tmac comes to LA he will not start unless he runs the point because Artest already won a ring and he's locked in at the 3 spot. LA needs a legitimate scorer/playmaker off the bench if they do not get one they will not win next year. Period.

Clealy my point was missed. But to respond to you: TMAC is washed up!!!!! He is only a fraction of the player he use to be. Of course he will come off the bench if he goes to LA, he is a bench player at best now. And TMAC isn't a consistent scorer, he will give you what Vince Carter gives Orlando... Headaches and inconsistency.

This brings me to my original point, adding TMAC doesn't automatically makes the Lakers a favorite again. Dynasties are created from trades and free agency. Given the talent level in this years free agency pool, don't be surprise to see a dynasty being made that doesn't involve LA or the Spurs (the last 2 we had)...

[Grits n' Gravy]

he is a good low post defender watch some games, but worthless on offense, who would you rather have for the vet minimum? mbenga or kwame?

both guys suck. wouldn't want either. gun to my head i take mbenga. brown is beyond awful on both sides of ball and i watch enough games to feel comfortable saying that.

[Goat Milk]

Clealy my point was missed. But to respond to you: TMAC is washed up!!!!! He is only a fraction of the player he use to be. Of course he will come off the bench if he goes to LA, he is a bench player at best now. And TMAC isn't a consistent scorer, he will give you what Vince Carter gives Orlando... Headaches and inconsistency.

This brings me to my original point, adding TMAC doesn't automatically makes the Lakers a favorite again. Dynasties are created from trades and free agency. Given the talent level in this years free agency pool, don't be surprise to see a dynasty being made that doesn't involve LA or the Spurs (the last 2 we had)...

He started this year for DanToni so I'm not sure how you think he's washed up and a bench player at best....

McGrady is better than any bench player on LA including Odom who is the definition of inconsistent. Wherever he goes he will play an important part on that team. Just like when people were telling me Garnett was washed up earlier this year?

I know when someone is washed up or when they are just struggling with injury.

[Bradyd]

He started this year for DanToni so I'm not sure how you think he's washed up and a bench player at best....

McGrady is better than any bench player on LA including Odom who is the definition of inconsistent. Wherever he goes he will play an important part on that team. Just like when people were telling me Garnett was washed up earlier this year?

I know when someone is washed up or when they are just struggling with injury.

You are confusing players actually starting, to players that can effectively and should be starting. Sure he started for the Knicks. Look how that turned out. Which led the Knicks coach to say that he DOES NOT see a future with TMAC. Now how many un-washed up players does that happen to? Maybe you just don't understand what being washed up means: No longer capable, effective, or valuable. Since when does shooting 38% in the past few years warrant someone effective? When does someone who has yet to play a full 82 game season or havent played more than 35 games in the last 2 season capable? How can someone who hits 1 of 3 shots, injury proned, has a Permanent back injury, suppose to be a scorer, and has never been known for his defensive skills be considered valuable? If you have the audacity to call Lamar Odom inconsistent, you should have even more to call TMAC inconsistent.

Knicks were 19-34 BEFORE TMAC came to the team: winning 34% of the time
Knicks were 6-18 AFTER TMAC came to the team: winning 25% of the time
The Knicks were also 4-1 when TMAC didn't play after he joined the knicks...

Given TMAC's performance of the last 2 seasons, his plaguing injuries, his permanent back injury, inconsistency, shooting percentage, cancer to any team he goes to, age (injuries are hard to come back from once you hit 30, even more when you have a long history of these injuries) and the fact that you think the Lakers getting him will make them favorites no matter where the other free agents sign,........ I'm going to go on a limb here and say you were just joking and I completely took your joke to an entirely new level. And for that, I'm sorry. But you can't possibly be serious about your previous statements..

[RoagBettor]

McGrady is washed up. He's not the type of guy to come into the game and just light it up each time anymore. He needs to find a rythym and he won't get the minutes in L.A. to do so. He'll have his moments, but they would be few and far between.

And whatever he does on offense will be negated by his complete lack of defense.

I hope L.A. signs him, I don't want them to threepeat anyway.