WEEKLY RECAP

For the week of Sunday, June 27, 2004.

The free agency excitement has begun, as teams are busy trying to claim someone good.  

The biggest name in free agency is certainly Kobe Bryant, whose off-court troubles don't seem to give teams a problem when offering him over a hundred million dollars.  There is a lot of drama about where Kobe will go, but he will most likely stay with the Lakers.  Why? First, Phil Jackson, who Kobe disliked, is gone.  Shaq, who he has had an on and off relationship with, is demanding a trade.  This is Kobe's team now.  He even said he wanted Duke's coach Krzyzewski to coach the Lakers next season.  On top of all that, the Lakers can offer him the most money.

Another big free agent has already committed to a team.  Steve Nash said he would sign with the Phoenix Suns, the team who drafted him in 1998, after they offered him a 5-year $65M deal.

And who could forget the big news of the week?  The worst team in the league last season, the Orlando Magic, have finished the rumored trade with Houston.  They sent Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue, and Reece Gaines to Houston for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and Kelvin Cato. 

The deal is good for both sides.  The Rockets can become title contenders with a good free agent signing or trade.  The McGrady-Yao duo is good, but it might not be able to carry them too far in the playoffs.  The Magic, on the other hand, get a fresh start with an explosive point guard, and will likely trade Mobley and/or Cato.

That's all for this week, peace.

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