How badly does Arn Tellem, agent for Tracy McGrady, want his client to be traded to the Knicks? So badly he's threatening the Kings, who traded for T-Mac in the wee hours, with "fireworks" if they won't pass him on to New York. Tellem got Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski to write a piece on it as trade deadline fever reaches insane temperatures. Tellem, of course, isn't directly quoted. But you'd be a fool to think anyone other Tellem (or one of his deputies) has planted the story.It's all naked and hilarious. The Kings, by all indications, could care less what T-Mac and his camp thinks as of 3:01 p.m ET today. McGrady was acquired either to give the Kings a dose of cap space -- if McGrady is kept after the deadline, the Kings will be looking at rougly $20 million in cap space this summer -- or to flip him to New York or Chicago for assets, like Jordan Hill or draft picks. If the resolution is the former, the Kings will almost assuredly waive McGrady by the end of the week. What exactly can McGrady hold over the team's head? It's not as if the Kings traded for him as a player. He's a contract, bubs, a piece of paper.
But wait! There's a catch! And its name is Tyreke Evans, a Tellem client. Tellem or his middleman intimates to Woj that perhaps failing to send McGrady to New York could complicate the relationship between Evans and the team. But from my vantage point, Tellem has never been the most important person in Evans's stable. In fact, during both of Reke's draft workouts, the guards was accompanied by his brother Reggie -- not Tellem or anyone from Tellem's cadre. Evans and his camp ("Team Tyreke") are far too pragmatic to allow Tellem to insinuate his own grievances into their reality. You think Tracy McGrady's status in 2010 will matter one iota to Evans in 2013, when he'll be ready to sign his second contract? Please.
This is the worst side of deadline -- the part where reputable, legit reporters allow themselves to be used like a toothbrush while everyone's watching.
Update: Tracy McGrady gets his wish, lands in New York.
LOOK: How Bad Are Your State's Bridges?
Joe Arpaio Violated Latinos' Rights, Judge Rules
Report: Yahoo Is Bidding On Hulu
WATCH: Journalist Slams Obama For 'Embrace Of Total Militarism'
Pacers Steal Game 2 In Miami
Pharma Giant Accused Of Paying Doctors To Push Drug
Friend Of London Attack Suspect Arrested After BBC Interview
CNN Anchor Calls Obama Protester 'Rude' And 'Crazy'
Abercrombie Announces Plummeting Sales Amid Controversy
LOOK: Why We Celebrate Memorial Day
Fox News Host's Outrageous Comment
Gay Soccer Player Returns To MLS
Female Suicide Bomber Injures 12 In Russian Region
Sectarian Violence Comes Back To Life In Iraq
Christopher Hayes: London Terror
Ohio Kidnapping Hero Disavows Free Burger Offers
State Investigating Threat Over Brewer Push
The iPhone Might Get A Lot Sleeker Very Soon
WHOOPS! Obama Makes Big Gaffe
Pioneering Journalist Known For Civil Rights Coverage Dies At 81
GOP Senator: Obama Speech A 'Victory' For 'Terrorists'
Toronto Mayor: I Don't Smoke Crack
Ann Coulter's Wild Conspiracy Theory
Ohio School District Considers Teaching Creationism
GOP Rep Tells Woman She Should Have Carried Brain-Dead Fetus To Term, Just In Case
Wife Of Beheaded British Soldier's Heartbreaking Interview
Governor Goes To Bat For Obamacare
Gay Teen Charged With Felonies Over Relationship Refuses Plea Deal
New 'Arbitrary' AT&T Fee Upsets Customers
