John Weisbrod is admittedly an impatient man, vowing he won't allow some long-range plan to distract him from rebuilding the Orlando Magic as quickly as possible.
Weisbrod, the Magic's general manager, has taken a similar tact with the negotiations regarding star guard Tracy McGrady. Though McGrady can't become a free agent until after next season and has hinted that he might not have an answer regarding his future with the Magic until the February trade deadline, Weisbrod has already started pressing McGrady's representation team on the matter.

Weisbrod wants to know by the start of training camp in October whether McGrady plans to re-sign long term with Orlando. Contractually, McGrady is under no pressure to give the Magic an answer. The Magic are fearful of losing the four-time All-Star without getting any compensation, much as they did in 1996 when franchise center Shaquille O'Neal bolted for the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent.

Weisbrod didn't wait long to jump-start the negotiations with McGrady's agent, Arn Tellem, calling the day after the Magic's 21-61 season came to an end. Weisbrod said Tellem is understanding of the precarious position the Magic sit.

Weisbrod said he also explained to Tellem his mid-April stance in which he seemed to issue an ultimatum to McGrady, saying that he wasn't comfortable heading into the season with an "I don't know" and that a trade could be possible.

"I've had conversations (with Tellem) and they have been very good," Weisbrod said. "I spoke with him immediately when it became a public issue. They laughed that whole thing off. They've known where we stood on the issue and we've known where they stood. We've resolved to stay in contact. I'm confident that one way or another this thing will get resolved before the end of the offseason."