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Word is out that Tracy McGrady (T-Mac) will sign a one year deal with the Pistons for the veterans minimum of $1.3 million dollars.
From this, I take it that Pistons trainer Arnie Kander feels T-Mac is physically salvageable. The Chicago Bulls also reported that he did well in his workout for them.
Bulls VP John Paxson said, "He'll do well. Tracy looked like he was just going to turn the corner physically."
Supporters of this move say it gives the Pistons more cushion to move Richard Hamilton and/or Tayshaun Prince come the February trade deadline. He is coming to the team at minimal expense and is motivated to prove himself still worthy of a max contract.
Dumars is apparently looking on T-Mac as another of his reclamation projects, which include Antonio McDyess and Ben Wallace.
Surprisingly, T-Mac has done an about face on his earlier stance of wanting to be a starter, which he stated to the Chicago media during his well-publicized workout.
NBA.com: "The source said that McGrady agreed without conditions to play behind starters Rip Hamilton and Tayshawn Prince next season, though it's likely that Detroit will move either Hamilton or Prince before the start of next season. It's more likely the Pistons will move Prince, who is entering the last year of his contract."
Playing behind Hamilton and Prince is different than playing behind Ronnie Brewer and Luol Deng, which helps account for this.
If T-Mac is able to play somewhere close to his previous level as a 2 time scoring champion, he will provide the Pistons with additional offensive punch.
That said, the Pistons are more in need of another power forward or center.
T-Mac further crowds the Pistons at shooting guard and small forward.
NBA.com: "A league source indicated Tuesday that the Pistons will work to "un-jam the log jam" the team now has at the shooting guard and small forward spots after signing the 31-year-old McGrady..."
More than ever, the Pistons need to move Richard Hamilton and/or Prince. The market for them remains the same, though. Hamilton is more redundant on this team, but also more difficult to move. Prince has an attractive expiring contract, but is invaluable at both ends of the court.
Trading Prince away will leave a void in the Pistons that not even T-Mac in his prime would’ve filled.
Dumars has also gone on record saying that he wants the new Pistons to get tougher as a team avoid drama.
At best, T-Mac is a serviceable defender, but he is not known for his grit and toughness.
Going by his history with other teams, it will be a matter of time before he starts complaining about lack of playing time, wanting an increased role, etc. He's not quite on Iverson's level of self entitlement, but he's not far off either. T-Mac doesn’t fit the character profile that Dumars reportedly looks for in prospective Pistons
On the other hand, T-Mac agreeing beforehand to be a reserve is unprecedented. It seems that the lack of opportunities and the prospect of going to Europe have made an impression on him.
Another drawback to this signing is every minute T-Mac plays is one less opportunity to develop Austin Daye, Dajuan Summers, and Terrico White. Jonas Jerebko, who is expected to play at power forward, and Greg Monroe, who will alternate between center and power forward, should be the least affected of the young players.
The T-Mac of the past is also one of the last people the Pistons should want young players to emulate with his playing style/practice habits and such.
On the plus side, this is only a one year deal and T-Mac can be cut if problems develop on the court, in the locker room, etc.
How well T-Mac can assimilate into Piston culture is debatable, but Dumars obviously believes T-Mac is at that point in his career where he will make those changes in order to stay in the league.
The Pistons and the fans will see how that works out.
I hope T-Mac does well in a Piston jersey, but time will tell.
