Deal to send T-Mac to Texas near

[JTSimon]

Code: [Select]

HOUSTON (AP) -- Houston Rockets point guard Steve Francis could soon be traded to the Orlando Magic for Tracy McGrady, the Houston Chronicle reported in its online edition Monday night.

Jeff Fried, Francis' agent, told the newspaper that Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson told him the trade was not complete but was close.

"I spoke to Carroll and it was not a done deal," Fried said. "It's close. It's subject to a few contingencies."

He said for the deal to work there will need to be some maneuvering involving Tuesday's expansion draft. The newspaper reported the deal also could include Rockets Kelvin Cato and Cuttino Mobley and bring forward Juwan Howard from the Magic. It said other than Francis and McGrady, players involved could change depending on salary-cap requirements that were still uncertain.

Francis wants to remain in Houston.

"I thought we were really building something, something very good in Houston," Francis said. "Obviously that's not the direction they want to go. I still think we could be a very good team.

"I'm not crying. Like I told you before, I know this is a business. Things like that happen. I'm not mad. I'm not upset. This is what they're trying to do. But like I said, I still think we could be something."

Francis wouldn't comment about the possibility of going to the Magic.

Fried told the newspaper that Francis wasn't happy about the prospects of playing for the Magic in a rebuilding situation.

"Steve's preference is to not go to Orlando," Fried said. "Steve's tasted the playoffs. [The Rockets] got a series under their belts. He was looking forward to going further with the same Rockets team but with another year of experience together. This is certainly not his preference. He loves Houston."

Francis has averaged 19.3 points, 6.4 assists and 6.1 rebounds in five seasons with the Rockets.

McGrady led the NBA in scoring the past two seasons, averaging 28 points per game last season.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/06/21/bc.bkn.rockets.francis.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

[7even]

so Shaq will come to Dallas for Dirk? I mean, McGrady and Shaq are homies, so I guess they wanna play for teams in the same state

seriously, quite fair trade. maybe a little better for the Rockets. And of course for McGrady. Francis is screwed now.

[Now_Im_Not_Banned]

Was Kain banned?

[Montana00]

yea, in one of the train of thought threads

[-VZA-]

if you ask me, i think orlando is getting a better deal.  francis and mobley play great together.  i'd take two pretty good players over one great player any day... and don't forget they still have the first pick in the draft.  they have a chance to do very well this year.