Francis takes 'first step' to leaving Houston

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Houston star Steve Francis has dropped his objections about being traded to Orlando, possibly paving the way for the Magic to send Tracy McGrady to the Rockets.
When news of a prospective deal broke earlier this week, Francis was adamant about not wanting to leave Houston. Orlando general manager John Weisbrod then put talks off until after the draft Thursday night.
But Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, told the Magic that there were no objections about coming to Orlando, and a call between Francis and Weisbrod after Thursday's draft smoothed matters even more.
"I couldn't say we're really closer to anything, but this was a good first step," Weisbrod said.