Tracy McGrady is the most talked about player in the NBA when it comes to trade talk. After spouting off about his playing time, the Rockets cut the cord with the highest payed player in the league, allowing him an indefinite leave of absence.
The latest and hottest rumor involving T-Mac has McGrady going to play alongside all-time great Allen Iverson, even if it is for just one season. More importantly, though, is who the rumor says will be headed to Houston in return for McGrady.
Sources close to the situation are now reporting that the Rockets and the 76ers have discussed the possibility of Philly sending guard/forward Andre Iguodala and another young player (Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams, Marreese Speights, etc.) to the Rockets in return for McGrady’s coveted expiring contract. This information comes courtesy of Kate Fagan of the Philly Inquirer.
Iguodala is no doubt a much better offensive option than McGrady at this point in his career and Iggy has a commitment to work hard on the defensive end, something McGrady never did or wanted to do.
Iggy is also much younger and has a nice long term deal with him that will keep him in Houston, should he be traded their of course, for a long time. Pair Andre with a core of Aaron Brooks, Kyle Lowry, Luis Scola, Carl Landry and Trevor Ariza and you have an instant contender in the Western Conference.
A slasher like Iguodala is exactly what this Houston team has been looking for. Trevor Ariza is not a creator of sorts. He’s a spot up three point shooter that needs his feet set to knock down a shot. Iggy? He’s a guy that can get his own shot, drive to the hoop and finish strong, and, once he gets his rhythm, can rain from three (he’s on at 33% on the year downtown right now, though).
Andre would give the Rockets a third perimeter defender, which would do wonders against the likes of Kobe Bryant. One possession, Shane Battier is on him. The next, Trevor Ariza. After that, AI. It would be a trifecta of athletic defenders that could easily get into his head come playoff time. Not saying Bryant won’t get 40 on them but this group of guys could make him work the hardest out of any other team in basketball.
Don’t overlook the fact that Houston would also be receiving Lou Williams or Thad Young, either. Williams is a speedy guard that can get his own shot and play point as well as shooting guard. Put Young on this team and you have a four that can stretch the floor and hit the outside shot as well as drive on the slower power forwards in the West (Hi, Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki).
I will be monitoring this situation very closely over the next few days because I will really think getting Iguodala could make the Rockets a top four team in the West.
and this would help philly how?
It’s a nice thought, but it seems highly unlikely to me. A trade that lopsided in the Rockets’ favor would require a management blunder on a par with the Pau Gasol Giveaway.
Well, I’ve heard it the other day. I’m a fan of Andrei Iguodala and if he gets traded to Houston, they will definitely off to sky-rocket! But, I don’t think it will ever pan out. Come on, even if the Sixers are desperate, they wouldn’t trade Iggy for McGrady! And Thad Young or Louis Williams being included? Nah ah. I don’t think so.
@mat : Philly would make this deal in order to clear cap room. They offered for McGrady in the first place.
@Todd @Nicolo Quimbo : I was astonished when I saw the offer but my understanding is that Philly made the offer and were alright in trading Iguodala with Dalembert but were hesitant to do a deal with Iggy and Williams/Thad.
I would be surprised if they did it too.
@Mark Travis: I think dealing Iggy with Sam Dal for T-Mac makes more sense, rather than trading Iggy with any of the two yungsters (Williams and Young). Houston badly needs a big man right now, especially with Yao going all brittle almost every season. Sam Dal would be an assurance to the Rockets that they will be heading to the playoffs with a legit center that stands at 7 feet. And as for the Sixers, keeping the young guys could do them some good in the future.
@BaLonek : I agree that Iggy and Dalembert is better for the Sixers but I am not sure how Dalembert fits with Houston.
I definitely see your point, Houston has a disadvantage in size with every team except maybe Portland but seeing the Rockets in the post-season without Yao last season and their play so far this year makes me think they like being the smaller guys.
The offense flows a lot better without Yao, allowing the Rockets to operate with Luis Scola or let Aaron Brooks get to the cup. Now Dalembert is admittedly not an offensive factor to the extent that Yao is and doesn’t require as many touches but what they have with Carl Landry and Scola seems to have worked so far this season and they have played the Lakers tough with that frontline.
@Mark Travis:
Cap-wise, moving AI and Dalembert for McGrady doesn’t make too much sense for the Rockets. McGrady’s EC is a great asset whereas Dalembert is overpaid and AI is locked up long-term in a fairly expensive deal.
@Sam : I understand that Houston is giving up a cap asset for some ugly contracts but I really think that Iguodala is a player that can put the Rockets over the top because of what he brings to the game.
The Rockets still need a slasher. A guy who can get to the basket and score whenever he wants to. Iggy can do that. Trevor Ariza has been trying to do that but it hasn’t looked pretty and he is struggling with shot selection. Iguodala can get to the cup, is a tenacious defender and is working on getting a consistent jumper.
I think taking a cap hit for at least Iggy (maybe not Dalembert) would help the Rockets on the court tremendously.