Tracy McGrady Likely Joining Bulls
It seems as if former superstar Tracy McGrady has finally found himself a home for the upcoming season. Reports indicate that the Chicago Bulls are ready to offer the 31 year-old guard a contract under certain conditions. The deal can only happen if McGrady proves himself physically fit in an assigned workout schedule and also convinces the team that he is comfortable with accepting a supporting role off the bench.
As ESPN reported, the source said: "Nothing is done until it's done, but I expect the Bulls to sign McGrady later this week."
Since McGrady made a whopping $23 million last year with the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks, he has said that money and years are not important in a contract this year. This gives the Bulls a nice option of bolstering a fairly strong Eastern Conference team with an inexpensive veteran who, though no longer a dominant star, can still be of use.
McGrady had previously expressed interest in joining the newly-formed Miami Heat triumvirate of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade, as a bench player. He has also worked out for the Los Angeles Clippers. However, Chicago is clearly the destination that McGrady optimally sought.
McGrady made these desires crystal clear through his Twitter by alluding to the Bulls’ previous attempts at drafting him in 1997 and signing him in 2000. McGrady’s pronouncements stated that he has "unfinished business" with the Bulls and that it "could be fate this time round."
The possibility of McGrady joining the Bulls is also reinforced by franchise point guard Derrick Rose’s support of the veteran, who was Rose’s favourite childhood player.
Rose told reporters: “I think that if he comes along, he could help our team. A player like him, with his experience and how he plays, I think it would help us."
If signed by the Bulls, McGrady becomes Chicago’s sixth offseason acquisition. The Bulls have also signed Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, C.J. Watson and Kurt Thomas this summer.
The final nudge to the Bulls was most likely McGrady’s highly publicized trip to Los Angeles to work out for the Clippers. The Clippers’ positive statements about McGrady’s showing and health surely caused Chicago to step up its interest in the seven-time All-Star. The Clippers removed any possibility of signing McGrady by re-signing guard Rasual Butler.
Last season, McGrady was limited to a paltry 30 games while recovering from microsurgery on his left knee. He started out the season for the Houston Rockets and was then acquired by the New York Knicks due to his expiring contract.
In 24 starts for the Knicks, he averaged a comfortable 9.4 points, 3.9 assists and 26.1 minutes per game. McGrady also showed some flashes of playing like his former self when called upon, especially in his 26 point, four rebound and five assist debut for the Knicks.
The Bulls aren’t expecting numbers like that from McGrady, by any means, but it is comforting to know that he can still perform like that.
As Rose noted: "He's a player. If he just gives us half of what he's got, we'll be all right. But I know a player like him, he's going to go out there and give us his all, but he'll definitely help us if we get him on the team."
Since McGrady seems to have realized his limitations as a player, it is probable that he can really improve team chemistry and help Chicago go beyond the first round in the playoffs. After all, the Bulls have been unable to do so since the 2006-07 season.
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