Rockets taking calls about McGrady trade?. The Rockets are not shopping Tracy McGrady; they are picking up the phone when it rings, and it rarely stops ringing. (Teams always say that, but in this unusual case, because of McGrady’s contract and the financial climate, it happens to be true.) Morey would not say much on the topic. “We’re not seeking to trade Tracy,” he said. “I’ve got to look at everything. That’s my job.” McGrady’s contract is huge ($22.5 million next season) and then it expires. Until he plays, insurance can take care of the cost through sometime next February. And teams all know this. A team looking to cut salary, can send the Rockets a big contract, take back McGrady’s for one season and pay him only a portion of that money. Plus, he seems driven to come back, and to prove something in a contract year. — Houston Chronicle

Bucks Richard Jefferson to Wizards?. If Richard Jefferson’s $14.2 million could be moved to, say, Washington for the chance to move up in the draft, you do that even if you had to take back the expiring contracts of a couple of guys who can’t play. Temporarily losing scoring and sacrificing the present against the future wherewithal to begin sensibly reshaping a senseless roster are exactly the kinds of trade-offs the Bucks need to be making. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Suns have leverage in Shaq trade talks. The Suns have significant leverage. Shaquille O’Neal is relevant again, in shape and in the news. He made the All-NBA third team in 2008-09. There is pressure on the Cavaliers to do something big and bold, and many of their fans are now expecting O’Neal’s presence next season. In other words, Kerr better not screw this up. He better get a little more in return for O’Neal than he received in return for Shawn Marion. If Ben Wallace wants to play and is part of the trade, fine. I’m guessing the crack medical staff in Phoenix can work wonders with the broken down defensive marvel. But they better get a young piece in return, too, and not settle for a pure salary dump. Trading Shaq can and should work for everybody. — Arizona Republic

View More At Foxsports