Tracy McGrady

Tracy McGrady signed with Detroit.

Tracy McGrady - Irrespective of his injury history, and irrespective of his greatly declined performance, there's one other fundamental sticking point to the idea; Tracy McGrady is not a shooting guard. He used to be able to play it, but he also used to have two working knees. He could, of course, just play small forward to whatever standard he can muster. But the teams said to be looking at him - L.A. Clippers, Chicago, Miami - don't need that. In fact, not many teams need a small forward right now. This disadvantages everyone under this heading, but particularly McGrady, for he more than anyone needs a particularly good situation in which to (attempt to) realise his comeback dreams. By this stage, if he goes unsigned, it would not be surprising.

The Knicks were also the most compelling protagonist in the deadline's biggest deal. Ever shameless in their pursuit of enough cap space to sign both Dwyane Wade AND Joe Smith, the Knicks craved Tracy McGrady's contract so freaking much that they gave up pretty much everything they have for it. Having already given their 2006 and 2007 firsts to Chicago (thanks!), and with their 2010 first owed unprotected to Utah, the Knicks continued on a theme by trading the product of their 2009 first (Jordan Hill) and their 2012 pick (top 5 protected for four years) to Houston, along with giving the right to swap 2011 picks with only top 1 protection. That's a pretty ridiculous amount of stuff just to get rid of the $9,553,320 that Hill and Jared Jeffries were owed next summer, but at least they're committed to a direction. That's....something.