McGrady To Bulls Less Likely

While ESPN's Marc Stein reported over the weekend that the Bulls signing of Tracy McGrady appeared imminent if he was healthy, it now seems that after yesterday's tryout and meeting that T-Mac's joining the Bulls likely won't happen at all. While the seven-time All-Star has made no secret of his desire to play in Chicago, the affection is not mutual at this point.

Monday's workout was led by Bulls assistant coach Andy Greer, who was on the Rockets' staff when McGrady played in Houston. Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau was also a Rockets assistant during T-Mac' tenure, so the Bulls' staff is well aware of his skills when healthy. McGrady apparently shot the ball well but didn't move with much fluidity or exhibit conditioning to suggest he's ready to return to his pre-injury form. The team also met with McGrady in the afternoon to discuss what his potential role might be. The Bulls aren't necessarily expecting T-Mac to be an All-Star again. But if he's going to join the team as a reserve, they'd expect him to accept that role. Can he? His comments to the media upon departing the Berto Center yesterday suggest his skills and ego may not be on the same plane at the moment. Having gotten than impression, Bulls management wants to continue exploring other options to fill out their roster. Last time the Bulls and McGrady met to discuss his signing back in 2000, the team met him at the airport with a an upbeat brass band. This time, it sounds like a lone, sad trombone upon his departure would've been the appropriate musical accompaniment.