Pat Riley Offered Young Tracy McGrady A Max Contract

The NBA is a business, and this is what players are told upon entering the league. However, it’s a business from both sides of the table. So, if the suspicion is true that McGrady did only use Miami as a bargaining chip — well, played T-Mac.

The article suggested that the Magic only offered McGrady a max contract once they found out that Heat was interested. If he would have signed with the Heat, he would have been a fascinating player to flank alongside a strong core.

McGrady in the backcourt would have been lethal next to Tim Hardaway. They also had Anthony Mason and Bruce Bowen on the wing. The Heat then pivoted Eddie Jones as another scoring option. The Heat did fail to be dominant that season, as Mourning was hurt for most of it.