BY MIKE ROSE
Here we go.
Tracy McGrady is reportedly interested in joining the Detroit Pistons. The Detroit Free Press had the story yesterday morning.
My take: That's good for the Pistons that McGrady wants to come to Detroit. But what would the Pistons need to give up? There's no way I'd give away Rodney Stuckey or Jason Maxiell. Tayshaun Prince is a keeper. I'd keep Rip Hamilton. I'd part with Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace. But will that be enough to get it done?
Tyronn Lue is headed to the Milwaukee Bucks. Lue would've liked to land in Boston, as the Boston Globe reported. Lue, as it turns out, was unhappy he won't be with Celtics. And what are the Celtics doing? The Phoenix Suns were interested in Lue as a backup for Steve Nash. Now the Suns, according to the Arizona Republic, may pursue Sam Cassell.
My take: Lue wanted to play for a winner. I'm not sure how good the Bucks will be next season. I think Lue would've needed to wait for Celtics to decide on Eddie House and Cassell. The Suns weren't willing to offer more than a one-year deal or else they were headed for luxury-tax land. I think what's more interesting is what the Celtics do. If Cassell goes to Phoenix, the Celtics need to address the bench. With James Posey now gone and Cassell's status uncertain, the Celtics will need to find some other go-to guys when the playoffs roll around.
Good story in the Rocky Mountain News about Marcus Camby being "insulted" about getting traded to the Clippers.
My take: Good news for the Clippers. Camby is angry over feeling like the scrapegoat in Denver. A motivated Camby is a good thing for Mike Dunleavy.
ESPN.com's Marc Stein is reporting that the Clippers have signed restricted free agent Kelenna Azubuike of the Golden State Warriors to an offer sheet.
My take: If Turiaf goes to Golden State, then Azubuike goes to L.A. The Warriors won't match. Well, with Azubuike the Clippers will definitely be an athletic team with Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Al Thornton and Eric Gordon. I'm still concerned about where all of the points are coming from.
The Salt Lake City Tribune is reporting that Deron Williams has signed a three-year deal (with an option for the fourth).
My take: Good move for the Jazz. But I'm more interested in what Carlos Boozer does. If he bolts for Miami next summer (as has been widely speculated), then Deron will have a bigger load on his shoulders.