In news that would be stunningly relevant in 2003, Marc Stein of ESPN reports that the Bulls are nearing an agreement with former Raptor/Magic/Rocket/Knick and former All-Star Tracy McGrady. There’s no word on the terms of the deal, but if it’s for a dollar over league veteran minimum, someone in Chicago’s offices screwed up.
McGrady had expressed interest in joining the Heat, but Miami never returned the interest. McGrady worked out for the Clippers, but nothing seemed to come of it, and according to the report, it was primarily an effort to nudge the Bulls into signing him.
The Bulls are in need of bench wing scoring, and McGrady could fit well as a backup to Luol Deng, if his body can keep in good condition. Of course, there hasn’t been a season in four years where that’s been the case, but it’s always possible. This does seem to fit in with the Bulls’ strategy this year: don’t sign the top guys you can get, but get big names that seem to indicate progress but likely won’t put them over the hump.
That should work out well.