Shaquille O'Neal and Tracy McGrady: Where Will They End Up?

Two of the biggest, as well as oldest names left on the free agent market are Shaquille O'neal and Tracy McGrady.  And with most teams completing their rosters left and right, both are running out of not only time, but also destinations.

Where could they go?

As for O'Neal, rumors have drastically died down of any chance of the big fella returning to South Beach to run alongside the South Beach super team.  Let's be serious, there was never a chance of that happening anyways.  Too many bridges have been burned in the past with Riley and the organization.

Then we heard about the possibilities of Dallas or Atlanta.  However, both teams removed their names from the hat after O'Neal's salary demands were too steep.

Now it appears O'Neal is focused on one destination, and one only.  Well, it's the only one he's talking about now and apparently the only team with any ounce of interest in the Diesel.

That city happens to be the home of the Celtics, Boston.  However, this destination is not looking too inviting for O'Neal either.  Again, the Celtics have been seemingly scared off by O'Neal's salary demands, and instead went out and acquired a much cheaper Jermaine O'Neal.

But O'Neal's talks of joining the Celtics have not ceased, as he has come on the record as late as yesterday, reiterating that he wants to play for the Celtics to compete for a championship.

I just don't think O'Neal gets it though, I don't think his ego will allow him to understand the concept that no one is willing to pay him the amount of money that he's demanding. I don't think O'Neal understands that, at this stage in his career with his durability issues, no one is going to want to pay more than the veteran's minimum to take on his baggage.

And I think until that light bulb turns on and he has an epiphany, he will not find himself on any NBA team this coming season.  If he is willing to accept the veteran's minimum, he will find himself a job.  It's as simple as that for O'Neal.

Now, regarding McGrady.

McGrady's main issue in why he hasn't been signed yet is his lack of willingness to accept himself as a role player coming off the bench.  A few weeks ago it appeared as if his signing with the Chicago Bulls was a done deal, until worries arose from the Bulls organization regarding McGrady's attitude and view of himself as a player.

The other buzz surround the injury plagued star was that he desperately wanted to join forces with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh in Miami.  However, it appears the interest was not mutual with the Heat, as an offer was never extended.

Now rumors are popping up everywhere that McGrady would love to play for the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant.  However, I wouldn't make much of that.  Most of that buzz is simply speculation being drawn up on the Internet.

McGrady still thinks he can be a solid contributor to a contender, and he can—but off the bench.  Which is why if he can accept that, I believe he will still end up on the Chicago Bulls.

At this point, McGrady has the better shot at landing on a team, and a contending team at that, than O'Neal.  Like I said, until O'Neal gets his financial issues straightened out, he's going to have a hard time playing for any NBA franchise.

However, if both fail to find a team here in the United States, there's always another option.  They could join forces and create a dominate big three in China with Stephon Marbury!

Or not.

But seriously, they would get what they are looking for—winning as well as probably getting paid pretty decently.  Marbury even loves it over there so much that he recently signed an extension, and has hinted at the possibility of coaching over there.

Ridiculous, I know.

But hey, I'm just throwing different options out there, and I'm sure if O'Neal, McGrady, or any older NBA star was willing to play in China that they'd be welcomed with open arms.

Back to reality.  I'm going to make some predictions as to where I believe O'Neal and McGrady will wind up.

O'Neal, I believe, will eventually be forced to swallow his ego and sign for the veteran's minimum with the Celtics.  Not playing on any team when he believes he still has "two years left in the tank" would be a much bigger blow to his ego than not getting paid right, I think.

As for McGrady, I believe he's going to come to his senses, accept a bench role, and be locked up by Chicago as soon as later this week.

So, O'Neal to the Celtics and McGrady to the Bulls?  Only time will tell.