McGrady Feels at Home in Orlando

Free agent Tracy McGrady, who was courted by three NBA teams in the past week, announced Friday he is choosing the Orlando Magic because he wants to play close to home.

“Not too many superstars get a chance to play at home, and I just saw myself taking advantage of it,” McGrady said at a news conference at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex, where he works out. McGrady, who played last season with the Toronto Raptors, is a native of Auburndale, Fla., about 40 miles southwest of Orlando. He will likely sign a six-year deal worth $67.5 million. NBA rules prohibit him from signing until Aug. 1. Grant Hill of the Detroit Pistons earlier committed to play for the Magic.

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The Pistons are courting free-agent forward Tim Thomas, and they used newly drafted Mateen Cleaves to meet Thomas at the airport. Asked what it would take to get him into a Piston uniform, Thomas said, “I’d rather not say.” Thomas is coming off a breakthrough season with the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Pistons are looking to offset the loss of Hill. The Pistons have about $5 million in cap room. . . . DeShawn Stevenson, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from Washington Union High just south of Fresno who was Utah’s first-round draft pick, was signed by the Jazz. Under the NBA’s rookie salary scale, Stevenson will earn up to $828,120 next season as part of a three-year deal worth as much as $2.67 million. On draft night, Stevenson was involved in a brawl after a high school all-star game. Prosecutors haven’t decided whether to pursue charges against Stevenson or others involved.