Joe Dumars thinking about signing Tracy McGrady

by | Aug 7, 2010 | 57 comments

Everyone is clamoring for the Pistons to make some sort of offseason move. The first real news  is that Joe Dumars is considering adding Tracy McGrady to the roster.

Via MLive:
“Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said late Saturday that the team is considering signing free agent Tracy McGrady.
“We’re checking it out,” Dumars said via text message. “We’re discussing it over the weekend.”

I’m not a fan of McGrady, but if the Pistons can sign him to a one year deal a the veterans minimum it’s a win for Detroit. You get a big name at a bargain price adding some value on the roster and putting bodies in the seats at the Palace.
Will he put us in playoff contention? No

Will his attitude change (he has playing time issues)? Not likely.

Why the move exactly?  I don’t know.

57 Comments

  1. Justin

    What is Joe D. Trying to accomplish with this move exactly? There is already drama with the amount of bodies they have in the front court (especially at the 2) waiting for playing time. We already had 1 washed up diva all-star in AI and we saw how that panned out. This isn’t a basketball team, but a circus trainwreck!

    Reply
  2. TRADE RIP TO A CONTENDER SUPPORTER

    I agree with Justin………….

    Reply
  3. ZB

    This means only one thing a trade is in the works…. Joe D must have a BIG surprise coming…..I HOPE

    Reply
  4. Damien W.

    Alright, I have one statement at the moment. I DON’T KNOW HOW TO FEEL ABOUT THIS MOVE!!!

    I FEEL SO INDIFFERENT! XD

    Reply
  5. Greg

    Nice photoshop job!!

    If he’s going to take the vet’s minimum or anything like that, I hope he might have a different attitude to begin with

    Reply
  6. Zkranc

    first off all this I hope is a joke, like Justin said we don’t need another back court player, especially one who can destroy the little chemistry we have on this team, and also since Detroit is one of the few teams that hasn’t used up it’s mid-level we might end up paying t-mac more than just the vet’s minimum

    Reply
  7. James (Australia)

    Don’t understand it.

    If it is just to put people on seats, that is all well and good. But what does he have to offer as a player? How much time is he going to be able to get? Can he put his ego away?

    Four words: Trade in the works.

    Reply
  8. A Pistons fan

    Tracy told everyone hes going to be back to his normal averages…

    I don’t think people realize is the dude can still ball…Shit if we were going to take a chance on Elton Brand why not T-mac? The dude can still drop a pedestrian 20 at will

    Reply
  9. Diogenes

    I don’t see Arnie Kanders name in a post yet? This guy is 31 – about the same age as Kobe. He has a great offensive skill set. Give me one good reason we don’t take a gamble on this guy? What do we have to lose? Can we suck more? Come on fans! So cynical.

    Reply
  10. DPrince

    how bout we sign Louis Amundson.

    Reply
  11. pistons 4 life

    Even if he manages to trade Rip, if you sign this guy you’ve got the same problem. Too many shooting guards. And if you can’t trade Rip (which is what I lean towards) you have waaaaayyyyy to many shooting guards. Don’t understand this? Sign a big man with the vets minimum!!!!

    Reply
  12. Mikey

    It don’t like the idea of signing T-Mac. Well he is a hell of a baller but what we need is a something different. Sure it is value for money, but what value ???? We don’t freakin’ know.
    He is to inconsistent and , in my opinion, to much focused on “his abilities”. It’s always about team chemistry / playin’ together in the D. Remeber, ee have to deal with the trades from last season to see what we may need !!!!

    Pls don’t sign him Joe !!!!

    Reply
  13. ZB

    This might sound crazy but this is the same thing people were saying about the BIG BEN signing “over the hill and out of gas ” but he turned out to be a steal ,who knows maybe sleepy I mean T-Mac can do the same… IF Joe sign him this could only mean a BIG is coming our way… c’mon has to be a bigger picture here let’s keep an open mind.

    Reply
  14. edt

    Joe D has been studying old tapes of the harlem globetrotters and decided to build a team just like it. Joe, I hate to break your bubble, but as great as the globetrotters were they werent in the NBA they only played the washington generals.

    we have way too many combo guards & stretch 3/4’s.

    we need bigs. Just one or two serviceable big men. I’m not asking for a guy that can score, but he needs to catch the ball (no kwame browns), and to be able to defend. That’s it.

    Reply
  15. ali bazzi

    it looks like its a done deal. now we just need a center.

    Reply
  16. Hlmk

    I don’t think you want a player whos won 0 playoff series in his life on ur team…

    Reply
  17. BadBoy

    I disagree with most of you. I love Tracy McGrady and respect him game. If we can tie him up, a true scorer that Detroit hasnt had in a long time, for this low of a price, imagine the oppertunities that opens up for trading rip and tay. I trust Joe D with my life, he’s going to make this work.

    Reply
  18. BadBoy

    and a quote from the guys over at Detroitbadboys,com

    “We gave Chucky F—ing Atkins the vet minimum last season. Sure, I’d love to see what Terrico White is made of, but a minimum deal to McGrady is nothing to complain about.”

    Reply
  19. Drew

    Sure, because we don’t have enough 2’s and 3’s as it is right now 🙁

    Reply
  20. Terrence

    Who gives a crap how many 2’s and 3’s we have? The obligation is minimal (if he complains about minutes, cut him and move on), the price is minimal (seriously, how many 7 time all-stars can you get for $1.9 million?), and anything that he gives you is going to be a net positive. Even better, if he shows he’s got something left in the tank, Joe doesn’t need to be some reluctant about trading one of his two bad contracts.

    It’s really got no risk to it. At the first sign of trouble, you can end the experiment rather quickly. This isn’t some 4-5 MLE deal, it’s the vet’s minimum. And the last few times we’ve used a vet’s minimum on former great players (Webber and Ben) they helped us out a bit.

    Reply
  21. Amer-ican Prince

    of the two injury prone players from houston i would of prefered yao. but if he does come arnie kander is going to take good care of him. i really cant stand him i think be believes he’s a lot better then he really is. hopefully itll at least get people in the seats and we can find a local buyer so the pistons dont move.

    Reply
  22. kdog78

    I’ve never been a huge fan of McGrady, even when he was an offensive stud. He had “black hole” syndrome with the ball and didn’t play solid defense. However, what is being missed here is that TMac is not JUST a shooting guard. He has successfully played the small forward position a lot in his career and if anything, his offensive skill set is more in tune with the 3 position. So, if there is a trade, I’m pretty sure that Prince is the one involved to net us a big man. Think about it, his contract expires so it’s easier to use, and so many teams need what he provides; versatility and solid defense. So, for the vet’s minimum, take a chance on TMac and move Prince for a frontcourt solution. Then, get on the horn to Earl Barron and sign his butt (played very well in limited games, but maximum minutes with the Knicks last year) with some of the MLE.

    Reply
  23. Nat_Turner_Wit_Tha_Burner

    Listen guys, the Clippers and the Bulls worked him out and decided to pass on him. I could understand the Bulls but the Clippers…..The Clippers didn’t even want him. He is a shell of his former self. He’s gonna spend most of the season on the injured reserved list.

    Reply
  24. Riv

    To Kdog78
    You make a good point that T-mac is signed to a vets min. If he can handle the 3 and use Tay(one of my favorite pistons)to net a serious big man(C/PF)I agree. But I can’t think of anyone we can get right now to fill the role and I would rather keep a healthy defensive Tay(Except for last year)than a shootin’ injured T-mac(most of the recent years). I am a native NYer from way back but I don’t know anything bout Barron. Does he fill that need? I’m glad they signed Big Ben and Bynum. Bynum lost time to AI and injuries, but when healthy he’s a tuff player and belongs in that guard rotation. I also want to see how Terrico White fits in.

    Reply
  25. thewordkeeper

    T-Mac has always been one of my favorite players. With the signing of Stoudemire in New York I was hoping that the Knicks would resign him. I cautiously hope the Pistons will sign him. I say “cautiously” because AI was my second fav NBA player behind Chauncey and we know how that turned out.
    Maybe T-Mac can re-find his groove in Detroit. McDyess, Hill, Amare, KG, Shaun Livingston all came back from devastating knee and ankle injuries. Hope McGrady can do the same.

    Since we are rebuilding, maybe Joe D can send Rip to Denver for K-Mart. That way Rip reunites with Chauncey, we keep Tay and both salaries will come off the books next season; that is, if there is a next season. We can save Kenyon for a playoff run, that is of course if we make the playoffs. I’ve never been a fan of trade scenarios from bloggers because many of them make no sense. This is evident by my trade proposal. As you just read I really have no clue or insight as to what it takes to make an important trade. I do believe many of my fellow Pistons bloggers will concur.

    Reply
  26. kdog78

    @RIV

    Not sure who we could get for Prince. He is a fan favorite (depending on who you talk to of course) and showed at the end of last season that he’s not just about the defense. I’m not sure who to target with his contract but maybe dealing both Prince and Rip could get us a quality big man for now and some young talent for the future. I dunno…

    As far as Barron though, he’s 7 foot 250 lbs and averaged 11pts and 11 boards with NY in 7 games last year, while playing around 35-40 minutes. Even if his minutes were half that, I think he could still produce at a good clip. Plus, he’s only a 4th year player. Seems like a good fit.

    Reply
  27. Rashit Flawless (Russia)

    Yep, there are two sources that said T-Mac is ALREADY signed for 2 years

    Reply
    • Natalie Sitto

      Don’t believe the sources just yet. If we do sign him the deal will take a few days. He’s going to have to get evaluated first.

      Reply
  28. Rashit Flawless (Russia)

    Sorry, for A YEAR. He signed for A YEAR

    Reply
  29. Diogenes

    I’ll say it again – Arnie Freakin Kander!

    Reply
  30. Rashit Flawless (Russia)

    Tell Mason to announce Kander right after T-Mac, because Kander now is the main guy who can put some powder in T-Mac’s ass to ignite each nite

    Reply
  31. Jayg108

    He’s not going to play defense at the beginning (no surprises there), but that may change after Arnie’s conditioning work gives t-mac some confidence. T-Mac can still dish amazing dimes and that is what the current roster needs.

    But yes, as a lot have mentioned: the Pistons still need to trade for a big.
    Do other teams take a sg (Rip) or sf (Tay) and trade away a solid big (Love, Pryz, Kaman)?
    Do the Pistons trade away their veterans and become another OKC university playing with the big boys?
    (and should BG and Will should wear 14 hole boots to protect those ankles?)

    Reply
  32. pfan

    Do people forget we just drafted a big? While no college superstar, Greg Monroe averaged a solid 16 and 10 last year. If he can manage to play solid interior d, and or be a consistent double double guy, we can be fine. People are so eager to ship Rip and Tay out and while they probably are the team’s biggest trade bait, we are not in DIRE need of a big man the way people make it seem. Also, T-Mac for a cool 1-2 million is a steal, all day. If he can be half the player he was once was, he at least gives the team more veteran presence, as well as another scoring threat.

    Reply
  33. kdog78

    @pfan

    Yes we drafted a big, but to say that he will immediately play “solid interior D” is a stretch. I think the sentiment is that he will have offensive game from the get go; both high and low post, and will be an average rebounder. All the people on this post are saying is that it would be nice to get a SOLID defender and rebounder at the center position so that Monroe doesn’t have to be the “savior” of this front line. You’re right, Rip and Tay are our biggest trade bait and a solid center with size and the willingness to do the dirty work IS a dire need of this team right now. So, why not one of them (or both of them) into just that; along with some other pieces that work towards the team’s future. With McGrady on board (even for the vet’s minimum) there are just too many players at two positions and not enough minutes to go around.

    Reply
  34. GODETROIT

    I say that this move is eithier for trade bait or giving protection for an upcoming trade.

    Reply
  35. elshark81

    T-Mac would be a shrewd value signing and fits Joe’s m/o of bringing in guys with something to prove at a bargain salary. I think most fans here are peeved because of two reasons.

    1. the position depth at the 2 and 3 spots
    2. fear of another AI diva ex-superstar flameout and team cancer situation

    I think that if he signs it signals the imminent departure of Rip or Tay via trade, which would be a welcome move in my opinion just to breath some fresh life into this team. I prefer moving Rip who seemed inconsistent and unhappy without Chancey here, but Prince is likely the more movable asset. Secondly I think T-Mac is not nearly the headcase the Iverson was. He has already experienced his downfall elsewhere and knows coming in that he has to be a team player. He also is younger and has a more well rounded game that if healthy can elevate the play of the team as a whole. He is still great at drawing fouls and is a solid shooter. He is also an above average passer and shooter at the 3 spot.

    I agree if we don’t make any other moves we will have a crowded roster but I would prefer to roll the dice next year with McGrady than I would with the some old boring lineup featuring Rip/Prince.

    Reply
  36. Friggins

    Stuckey/Maxiel/Wilcox
    for
    Duhon/ Gortat

    who says no first?

    Reply
  37. rashbole

    tmac is a good backup for rip and ben gordon???he is a good small forwards in the league?? but during 2002 now is 2010 so i think it will be effective to sign him???

    Reply
  38. Wade

    Can we get an ” IN ARNIE WE TRUST” chant?

    Reply
  39. edt

    if joe d had wanted to trade rip & tay it would have been done.

    they arent getting traded. The team you see is the team for next year.

    has everyone forgotten already? Joe D said that the reason our team lost last year was injuries.

    Reply
  40. ughhh

    Why are you doing this to me Joe…Tracy invented soft.

    Reply
  41. N1ck

    Hmmmm…

    Let’s check out the SG & SF positions…
    SG: Stuckey, Rip, Gordon, White
    SF: Prince, Jerebko, Daye, Summers

    And now we need T-Mac… Jesus H….

    On the other hand, let’s check the PG & C positions…
    PG: Bynum
    C: Wallace (no, Maxiell, Monroe & Wilcox cannot give us a solid center performance right now)

    What the hell is wrong with the Pistons?

    Reply
  42. N1ck

    How about Iverson again?

    C’mon, It could work!

    (dead smiley)

    Reply
  43. Jayg108

    Tracy invented soft……….so funny……so true

    Reply
  44. bills

    Pistons please get rid of those clowns W. Bynum and Stuckey…

    Reply
  45. N1ck

    Let this lineup start the season and make a trade during the season, if needed.
    I have much respect for Rip & Tay. The guys rule when healthy.
    We’re short at center & point but play Monroe & Bynum as much as possible.
    T-Mac. Hell no.

    Reply
  46. Spoorthi

    1. Trade Stuckey and Hamilton for Collison and Okafor
    2. Trade Prince for Camby
    3. Wilcox for Davis

    Lineup:
    PG: Collison, Bynum
    SG: Gordon, White
    SF: Daye, Jerebko, Summers
    PF: Davis, Camby
    C: Monroe

    Reply
  47. daddy

    i dont see why ppl are complaining about signing this dude. its for the min and if we dont like him we can trade or simply wave him. ive always liked t mac wish he played diff. i think he will be diff because he has somethin to prove and will be playing for a contract/

    Reply
  48. Spoorthi

    1. Trade Stuckey and Hamilton for Collison and Okafor
    2. Trade Prince for Camby
    3. Wilcox for Davis

    Lineup:
    PG: Collison, Bynum
    SG: Gordon, White
    SF: McGrady, Daye, Summers
    PF: Davis, Jerebko
    C: Monroe, Camby

    Reply
  49. daddy

    spoorthi your going to sign okafor and not even play him? he has i think 4 years left on his contract and no one would trade for him. david, are you referring to ed davis? wilcox for him would be a dream but that would never happen. where is big ben cv and maxy pad?

    Reply
  50. edt

    daddy one of the reasons we have had such a difficulty with AI is not that AI is bad, he’s a good player but that we have a giant pileup at shooting guard. If we had traded Rip before acquiring AI, our team would have been better. Or if we had never acquired AI we would have been better. Or if we didn’t have AI AND didnt have Rip we would have been better because then Stuckey would have been able to play shooting guard all night, and we could have rotated Chucky & Bynum at point.

    Sometimes a team gets better with less players. When you obtain players and they are good enough to play in the NBA and you only give them 15 minutes a night they will not be happy, they won’t play at their highest level, and it’s impossible to get into playoff conditioning with only 15 minutes a night.

    Adding tracy mcgrady will hurt this team even if he played for free

    Reply
  51. DPrince

    Alright…If we do sign this guy….then please trade Hamilton, not Prince. With Hamilton gone Gordon can start SG and he’ll have a solid backup with T-mac. Prince, Daye, and Summers can be at SF. Stuckey and Bynum at PG, then Charlie, Wilcox, Jerebko, and Maxiell at PF, and Big Ben and Monroe, and the “big guy” we’ll get in the trade for Hamilton 🙂

    I think this would workout and put us in a playoff contending team…

    Reply
  52. sdfasdfa

    I can’t say no to McGrady for the vet minimum. I do believe however that this will likely be his least productive season, and he’ll probably play off the bench and 15 minutes a night if that. He won’t be another AI because I’m sure he knows his time is ending.

    Reply
  53. Rashit Flawless (Russia)

    Bring here Isaiah Thomas to play PG and Bill Laimbeer to play C

    Reply
  54. charmz

    good luck to t-mac thats all i can say

    Reply

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