Where Will Tracy McGrady End Up?

So, Tracy McGrady is finally on the move. Let's look at few potential trade scenarios.

PISTONS
The Pistons cannot deal for McGrady unless another team gets involved or both Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince are included in the deal. Trading both Hamilton and Prince would free up approximately $21 million in cap space, which is great, but what the Pistons really need is help in the post. The only way they deal both Hamilton and Prince is unless Carl Landry is involved. Landry isn't going anywhere.

WARRIORS
Monta Ellis is pretty much a bargain at five years and $55 million, especially when you consider he's seventh in the league in scoring (25 ppg) and only 24 years old. Yeah, he has some issues with Nellie but I think Nellie is really just trying to teach him. Thus far, Ellis has gone above and beyond in trying to show he's a team guy and a potential leader. The Warriors can't really pull a deal for McGrady unless a third team and/or Corey Maggette is involved. Unlikely.

HEAT
The Heat don't really have the contracts to deal for McGrady. They could either deal Jermaine O'Neal straight up or offer a combo consisting of Quentin Richardson, Udonis Haslem and Dorell Wright. Either way, it just doesn't make much sense for either team because of the positions and number of players involved. The Rockets aren't going to risk damaging their chemistry.

HORNETS
The Hornets are in financial trouble and would love to unload some contracts for McGrady, however, no team is crazy enough to take on Peja Stojakovic. Plus, both teams play in the same division. Couldn't you see a McGrady-Chris Paul-David West-Emeka Okafor combo becoming dangerous? I could, and if I'm the Rockets I wouldn't want the NBA's most competitive division getting any stronger.

KINGS
The Kings don't really have any bad contracts with the exception of Andres Nocioni. Hurt or not, Kevin Martin is a steal at $9 million per. Maybe if the Rockets were destined for the draft lottery and included the pick in a deal. Unlikely.

CLIPPERS
Unless Baron Davis AND Marcus Camby are involved, the Clippers don't have the pieces to get a deal done. No chance.

SUNS
The Suns don't have the parts necessary to make a deal work financially. Forget them.

KNICKS
The only way this can be done is if the Knicks include Al Harrington or Danilo Gallinari and the Rockets accept Eddy Curry. I'm sure the Rockets like Chris Duhon, Harrington, and Nate Robinson, but all three of them are walking at year's end. Would the Rockets take a Harrington-Curry offer? Maybe. Getting rid of Curry would free up an additional $10 million in cap space and allow the Knicks to sign two max players. But do the Rockets want a ballhog like Harrington? Eh.

Here are three destinations I think work really well for both teams:

BULLS
For Brad Miller (expiring), Jerome James (expiring) and John Salmons (one year left at $6.5 million). This gives the Rockets what they desperately need, another guard who can score, and the Bulls free up an extra $7 million and put themselves in position to sign a max player. The Rockets could take Miller and Kirk Hinrich—pass-first point unlike Aaron Brooks—instead.

BUCKS
For Michael Redd and cash. The Bucks would basically lose nothing, swapping one scoring guard for another, and free up $17 million in cap space (hello Dwyane Wade). The Rockets would get one of the top shooters in the league. If Redd stays healthy, the Rockets are a contender. If he doesn't, he becomes an expiring contract next season.

SIXERS
With a frontline that features Luis Scola (6-foot-9), Carl Landry (6-foot-9) and Chuck Hayes (6-foot-6), it’s no surprise the Rockets are second to last in blocked shots. The Sixers are dying to get rid of Samuel Dalembert to free up some cash. Do the Rockets take on Dalembert (1 year at $12.2 million remaining after this season) if the Sixers add a future draft pick(s)? Jason Kapono would be included as well, giving the Rockets a perimeter sharpshooter.