McGrady workout set for Bulls

The Bulls are working to finalize a workout for free agent swingman Tracy McGrady for Monday, a league source confirmed.

However, the source added that signing McGrady, who is recovering from microfracture surgery on his left knee in February 2009, "is probably a long shot." The seven-time All-Star played just 24 games last season.

The Bulls long have had a close relationship with McGrady's agent, Arn Tellem, who is working to find McGrady a home. So some are interpreting the workout as either a favor or merely due diligence.

He can play 15 or 20 off the bench, and score 10 each night and be fine."

OK, that's a fair argument. But here's why I still don't think the Bulls will pull the trigger: At his peak, McGrady was never known as a great defender. After several knee surgeries, it seems as if he's lost at least one step, probably two. Does that sound like the type of player that would fit right into new Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau's system?

I don't think so.

Thibodeau has stated over and over that defense will be one of the biggest priorities on his team, and McGrady has never been considered a great defender. This deep into his career it would be tough to pull that out of him, but I guess if anyone could do it, it could be Thibodeau since he was the same man who is credited with turning Ray Allen and Paul Pierce into serviceable defenders.