Tracy McGrady Acquired by Rockets in Blockbuster Trade

Tracy McGrady was acquired by the Houston Rockets on June 29, 2004, in a blockbuster deal involving seven players.

The trade sent McGrady, Juwon Howard, Tyronn Lue, and Reece Gaines to Houston, while the Orlando Magic received Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and Kelvin Cato.

On that day, the Rockets gained one of the flashiest scorers in franchise history.

McGrady had carried the load for a subpar Magic squad due to injuries limiting Grant Hill to 47 games in four seasons.

The Rockets created an exciting duo by pairing McGrady with Hall-of-Fame center Yao Ming.

The two made the playoffs in four of their five seasons together, but injuries hampered their primes, and they never quite got over the hump.

Tracy McGrady averaged 22.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game as a Rocket.

His best season with the franchise was his first, putting up 25.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.

The Rockets were a fun team to watch under McGrady, with memorable performances like 13 points in 33 seconds against the San Antonio Spurs.

And his playoff game-winner against the Dallas Mavericks showcased his pure scoring ability.

So the acquisition of Tracy McGrady marked an exciting era for the Houston Rockets.

But the team's inability to overcome injuries and reach the NBA Finals left what-ifs for fans.

The trade that brought McGrady to Houston will always be remembered as a significant moment in franchise history.

On June 29, 2004, the Rockets made a move that would bring thrilling basketball to their fans.

Tracy McGrady's time in Houston was marked by impressive individual performances.

And though the team did not achieve ultimate success, his legacy as one of the greatest scorers of the 2000s remains.

The 2004-05 season was McGrady's best with the Rockets, and it set the tone for his time in Houston.

With 25.7 points per game, he led the team to a second straight playoff appearance for the first time since 1998 and 1999.

This feat demonstrated the impact of Tracy McGrady on the Houston Rockets.

As the years passed, McGrady continued to flourish in Houston, forming a formidable duo with Yao Ming.

Though they faced challenges, the Rockets were a force to be reckoned with during McGrady's tenure.

And his performances will always be remembered as some of the most exciting in franchise history.

The acquisition of Tracy McGrady was a significant moment for the Houston Rockets, marking the beginning of an exciting era.

It showed the team's commitment to bringing in top talent and competing at the highest level.

The trade will always be remembered as a key moment in the history of the franchise.

On June 29, 2004, the Houston Rockets made a move that would change the course of their history.

Tracy McGrady's arrival in Houston brought a new level of excitement to the team.

And though the team faced challenges, his performances will always be remembered as some of the greatest in franchise history.