Latest from Sentinel... (Ray Allen for Francis?)

OrlandoSentinel.com

By Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted June 24, 2004

The much-anticipated trade of superstar Tracy McGrady to the Houston Rockets could bring both Seattle all-star guard Ray Allen and Miami Heat small forward Caron Butler, in one of several, multiteam scenarios still being considered by the Orlando Magic.

General Manager John Weisbrod -- on the eve today's NBA draft -- refused to talk about any trade specifics involving McGrady, but NBA sources confirmed the interest of both Seattle and Miami in being part of a deal.

Weisbrod did say Wednesday afternoon that as many as seven teams still are in serious bidding for McGrady, and that he was in no hurry to make a choice, turning his focus instead on making the No. 1 pick in the draft today.

"We're still weighing a lot of options with Tracy. He still could be here this season, or he could be traded," Weisbrod said at the RDV Sportsplex. "If we do trade him, I don't think there's any chance of it happening before the draft."

Weisbrod discounted earlier reports that the deal with the Houston Rockets -- bringing Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato in return -- was all but finished. He also discounted a report that Francis' unhappiness about coming to Orlando could sidetrack that deal.

Francis, also an all-star, likely would be traded elsewhere. The Magic have talked with Seattle about a Francis-for-Allen trade, also with lesser players involved from both sides.

The Magic, at the same time, have talked to the Miami Heat about a trade that would send Mobley and forward Drew Gooden in exchange for Butler, their promising, second-year forward. Gooden has played especially well against the Heat in his career, averaging 22.7 points and eight rebounds per game against them last season.

Although both the Rockets and Pacers have been linked strongly to McGrady and the Magic, other teams have been making serious efforts to land him. The Magic are waiting for the Phoenix Suns to sweeten their offer of Shawn Marion and the No. 7 pick in today's draft. The Magic also want either Joe Johnson or Amare Stoudemire in a package.

The Heat, who tried desperately to land McGrady when he was a free agent in 2000, also have talked with the Magic about a deal involving either Eddie Jones or Brian Grant, along with Butler for McGrady. They would love to put McGrady together with Lamar Odom, giving them two incredibly versatile swingmen, much like the Magic once anticipated doing with McGrady and Grant Hill.

"Because of the magnitude of a deal and of him as a player, there's this big rush to conclude where he's going," Weisbrod said. "But the assumption out there that it's done, or that Houston is the team, is just not the case. We're still weighing our options."

While the rest of the league waits for the trade of McGrady and who the Magic will selected No. 1, Weisbrod sounded content to keep waiting on better offers. McGrady can't opt out of his contract with the Magic until after next season. There is the slim chance he could play for the Magic this season.

"There are plenty of deals out there for Tracy. If we wanted to do a deal today, we could," Weisbrod said. "But we're certainly not going to rush anything. We're going about it as methodically as we can. There is no time pressure."

Among the lesser deals the Magic also are exploring is the return of popular point guard Darrell Armstrong, who played last season in New Orleans. His absence last season contributed to their collapse. He would fit well in a lineup that included Allen, Butler and center/forward Emeka Okafor, the possible No. 1 pick in the draft.

Allen led the Sonics last season, averaging 23 points in 56 games. Although he is older (28) than Francis (27), he is considered more coachable. Butler averaged 9.2 points in helping the Heat into the second round of the playoffs.

Armstrong, who was vacationing in Orlando this week, said he was unaware of the trade talks involving him, but he said they wouldn't surprise him.

"If it happened, that would be great," he said. "Maybe we could get it back together again."

In anticipation of getting Francis from Houston, the Magic also have talked to the Washington Wizards about a deal involving point guard Gilbert Arenas and former No. 1 pick Kwame Brown. Francis played his college basketball at the University of Maryland and he would give the Wizards a much-needed public relations boost.

"There are so many variables with this," Weisbrod said. "There are a lot of deals still under consideration."
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Whoops... ron413 posted this before me. My bad ron.
Delete please.