Guard – Detroit Pistons – 6’8″, 223 lbs
Strengths
McGrady was one of the best true scorers in the league once upon a time. Unfortunately, those days are long gone. The man can still score. He just can’t do it as many ways as he could three or four years ago. One definite plus though, his .442 field goal percentage last year was his best since 2003. He also has always been a very good ball-handler; he’s definitely capable of playing point guard in a pinch.
Weaknesses
Besides really not being able to guard anybody one-on-one at this point in his career, McGrady’s biggest issue is the wear and tear on his body. He’s only 32-years-old, but he moves more like a 37-year-old. He’s already injury prone and the 14 years of pounding he’s put on his tires isn’t going to help in the health department.
What He’ll Cost
At this point in his career, McGrady and his agent are crazy if they think T-Mac is getting anything more than the Veteran’s Minimum. He can’t start, in shorter minutes he can definitely be helpful; but there surely shouldn’t be a single team in the league looking to get McGrady for more than 15-20 minutes a game.
Three Potential Fits
Miami Heat
McGrady going to Detroit last year was shocking to me. I thought he already understood that he’s in the “title chaser” stage of his career (he was injured during the Rocket’s 2009 Western Semi-Final elimination…so…technically, he’s still never been out of the first round of the playoffs). But, at the time, he thought he could compete for a starting job in the NBA. I think he gets it now that he’s a role player. And given the moves Miami made last offseason filling the bench, and also taking into consideration that The Heat have no money to spend; McGrady in a Heat uniform next year is definitely a possibility.
Orlando Magic
I kind of like the idea of T-Mac back in Orlando where he made his bones. The question is what Orlando plans to do with Jason Richardson. Even if they keep J-Rich, it might not be a bad idea to bring McGrady aboard. He’ll definitely be able to help spread the floor for Howard with his 3-point range.
Los Angeles Lakers
McGrady hasn’t made it a mystery that he’s interested in LA. You’d think the Lakers would have to at least entertain the notion of T-Mac off their bench. After all, their bench sucks. And it will be even worse if Shannon Brown leaves. On paper, McGrady in LA wouldn’t be TERRIBLE, but I think the last thing LA needs is another aging swingman.
Prediction
Believe it or not, I think McGrady will actually end up in Miami. I don’t think it will be smart from Miami’s perspective considering McGrady is damn-near just damaged goods at this point, but the Heat need depth. And McGrady as their 9th or 10th man wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if they can squeeze a productive 8 ppg year out of him.