Feb

18

Carter In Center Of Trade Tornado

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Rumors 

New Jersey Nets guard Devin Harris (left), guard Vince Carter (right)
Vince Carter, all of a sudden, is a commodity in demand in light of the fact that the trading deadline is on Thursday.  And there are plenty of suitors for Carter’s services, it appears, according to ESPN.com.

The Nets have talked to several teams, including the Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, and to a lesser extent the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers.  Now what they have to offer the Nets for Carter is a story of contrasts.

The Blazers and Nets have discussed a deal which involves Portland dealing Raef LaFrentz and his expiring contract, Travis Outlaw and Sergio Rodriguez for Carter; sources familiar with the Rockets say they have been pushing a Tracy McGrady-for-Carter and Trenton Hassell trade.  That seems unlikely due to McGrady due for microfracture surgery on his ailing knee.

But the Nets have countered with a Carter-Josh Boone to the Rockets for a combination of – get this – Ron Artest, Shane Battier, Luther Head and Carl Landry.  Without a doubt, the Carter trade is motivated by the desire to clear salary cap space and getting value in return in any trade they undertake.  Artest and Head’s contracts expire this summer, which would clear roughly $8 million off the books; but at the same time, the rockets don’t want to completely gut their team, either.

Meanwhile, the Blazers are shopping around Channing Frye, who could be included in a Nets deal assuming that New Jersey add a player or 2 to make the trade equal out.  The way things are shaking out here in the 11th hour, it could very well be a case of not if Carter gets dealt, but who he is dealt to.  When more developments become available, Slam Dunk Central will have them for you, so stay tuned.


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