Trade Scenario
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Trade Scenario
Tonight, ESPN.com is reporting that the Houston Rockets, long trying to trade Tracy McGrady and his $23 million expiring contract, have narrowed their choices to the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls. According to this article, the Rockets expect to decide tomorrow on where to send McGrady. SI.com is laying out the details of the deal between Houston and the Knicks, implying that's likely the deal that will go down.
As recently as a few weeks ago, the Rockets (and McGrady) were linked to the 76ers in trade rumors. Since that time, it's become clear that Sixers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski does not want to deal for expiring contracts, wanting only to entertain trade scenarios that will improve the current, on-floor product. Stefanski reiterated this position before tonight's embarrassing 105-78 loss to the *Miami Heat* at the Wachovia Center.
Said Stefanski: "We're very active and a lot of teams are looking for us to do financial deals, to send back expiring contracts and we want to improve the product on the court." There's more from Stefanski in tomorrow's notes package from tonight's game.
Bottom line is Sixers won't make a trade for McGrady's expiring contract if that's the heart of the deal.
There's all kinds of opinions about whether the Sixers should trade Andre Iguodala for that expiring contract and, perhaps, a good young player. There's the thought that Iguodala and Thaddeus Young play the same position -- someone has to go. There's the thought that it's time to move on from this plan.
There's also the thought that Iguodala is the team's best player and it would be the worst move to trade him for an expiring contract, essentially giving away your best player for an uncertain future (so to speak).
Here's something hard and fast to consider as the trading deadline comes closer and it's becoming less and less likely the Sixers will make a franchise-changing deal:
According to a source with first-hand knowledge of the situation, the Houston Rockets were willing to trade McGrady and rookie guard-forward Chase Budinger for Andre Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert. In fact, the Rockets wanted to do this deal. The money works and the Rockets were willing to take on Iguodala's $56 million remaining contract and Dalembert's $12 million next year.
Is that a deal the Sixers should have done?
--Kate
I, personally, am in complete disbelief that the sixers didnt pull the trigger on this deal. They shed themselves of 2 ridiculous contracts for an expiring contract and a young player. I cannot believe this. This team will never, mark my words, never win under the management they have in place. Stefanski, I think, is completely cluecless when it comes to the team hes throwing out there right now. What deal do they expect to make to actually improve this team? This sixers have no luck with making trades that are supposed to "improve the team"— Bthuff80- its obvious the current team isnt working and they dont have the money to go over the cap(obviously) this team has been bad for so long that philly is losing interest. i really think its just time to tank the team and finally get a top 5 pick. the sixers just keep putting out a medicore team and thats not how you improve in the current nba. you have to have a top pick or have money to spend.
- Stefanski should be fired immediately for not doing this deal— Lemur
- "tonight's embarrassing 105-78 loss to the Chicago Bulls": D'oh! Better remix that.— Busty St.Claire
- Kate, the main follow-up question here is: Is that deal still on the table?— Dean1
- For as much as we've brutaltized Billy King...isn't it ironic to note the moves of Sept-tank-ski who has put us in an even worse mess! Proof positive that ES is the Eddie Jordan of general managers!— khouse
- there's no way they can afford not to make that move if it was offered. Stefanski is truly clueless. The higher ups in the org need to order ES to shed payroll, then fire him in the off season before he gets a chance to waste in on more bloated contracts for more undersized, injury prone players.— phily_phan_n_nyc
You get McGradys contract..........Lets say Mac is sound of body--and still has some playing time left--— HO HUM- They should have done it. Iggy is as good as he's going to get.— WILSIM
- and with all the pressure on the players-he might sign a contract-1 yr for 6 or 7 mill next year and you would still have 16 mill left for one or 2 of the "big" boys.I believe the offers for all but the best LBJ-WADE etc-will be much lower than people realise---so if they wanted to pull the trigger--this is the year to do it--as the money will go a lot further? next year.Ed consider that angle.You might look like a genius this time next year.Just tell your player-"its not personal"--just business--BESIDES--i made you rich-playing a game.— HO HUM
- Trade away our two best defensive players by far for Chase Budinger? Horrible, horrible trade. We'd be NJ Nets awful with nothing left to build around.— riprepulski
- Dalembert has been one of the sixers best players and Iggy is by far the most consistent... If you want to get rid of players get rid of all the bench players that are all equally average at best. get younger next year with players that aren't at their peaks and let the team grow together. I don't like Stefanski he really hasn't done much but sign Brand since he got here. Oh and the coach is clueless especially if they go younger. he is very inconsistant as a coach— BBAX
- houston fan here: do you think Stefanski, after that loss to the Heat, would be interested in a trade of Iguodala without one of the [other] albatross contracts? I ask because, according to espn.com, t-mac is going to either Chi or NY. I was on trade machine, and you guys could get back quality talent from us that is mostly expiring (by talent, I mean guys who play in our regular rotation, and we're a winning team) or filler, but mostly good. A trade of Chase Budinger (phenomenal rookie talent, lots of room to grow), Joey Dorsey (part of the Memphis NCAA finals team, incredible rebounder and a Dwight Howard build), Chuck Hayes (one of the best overall defensive C's in the NBA), Luis Scola (reliable, grind-it-out PF with great post moves, also a great free throw shooter) and Brian Cook to make the salaries match. Is that something you think you guys would do?— olivarezq1
Comment removed.- Wait, wait. Dosen't everyone think if that was the trade and it benefited the sixers Stephanski would do it?? Why would the rockets take on Iggy and dalamebert contracts when they are riding of Mcgrady's in 2 months? I assume they see value in these players and McGrady is on his way out. If the Rockets management read these messages they may not do the deal, so let's keep this under raps. Please remember billy king gave some of these guys no trade clauses so the player themself has to agree to a trade. Billy King has left us in a mess and we need to be patient. I am normally just as critical as the next person, but the sixers haven't been good in years. Give it time. If Ed S can't get it done in 5,6,7 years he should be held accountable.— allodat
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
