http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/story/217107p-186848c.html

Vince zeroes in on joining Knicks

BY FRANK ISOLA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

The mere thought of Vince Carter wearing a Knicks uniform once seemed as far-fetched as Shaquille O'Neal ending up in Miami.

But in today's NBA, where the league's most dominant player can be traded without the Miami Heat having to give up its best player, anything is possible, including Carter ending up in New York.

Despite the declaration Wednesday from Toronto general manager Rob Babcock that Carter will return next season, a person close to the Raptors' All-Star swingman insists that Carter is trying to force a trade to New York.

Carter has refused to comment on his future for the past few weeks, but that could change tomorrow night following Carter's annual charity all-star game in Toronto. According to the source, Carter is expected to announce publicly that he wants to be traded.

Carter's agent, Mark Steinberg, did not return phone calls yesterday. Knicks president Isiah Thomas, attending a team function in New Jersey, refused to comment on the Carter rumors.

In Babcock's most recent meeting with his franchise player, the first-year GM came away convinced that Carter was committed to playing for the Raptors next season.

"I don't see a problem; we're on the same page as far as him playing on our basketball team, I feel very comfortable about that," Babcock told The Toronto Sun. "I see him coming to camp and I don't see him being distracted by anything."

However, the same source said that the Raptors have explored the possibility of moving Carter and talked about shipping him to the Sonics for Ray Allen. Carter, however, has no interest in moving to Seattle and is following the lead of both O'Neal and Tracy McGrady by requesting a trade to the team of his choice.

The one significant difference is that O'Neal and McGrady had more leverage because they were entering the final year of their contracts. Carter still has four years remaining on his deal. O'Neal and McGrady dictated the terms of their removal from Los Angeles and Orlando. respectively, in the past month.

The real challenge would be coming up with an attractive package for Carter, the leading vote-getter among All-Stars last season. Toronto would consider Stephon Marbury, but Thomas, the original head of basketball operations for the expansion Raptors, wants to hold on to his point guard. Thomas is also reluctant to trade Tim Thomas.

Carter is still regarded as an elite player, but the Knicks have to hope that he still has as much clout as O'Neal and McGrady to force Toronto's hand.

"The last thing Toronto wants is for things to turn ugly," the source said. "Vince likes New York; he has a relationship with Isiah and he wants to play there."

Originally published on July 30, 2004

wow. Holding on TT instead of doing everything to get carter ?
Seems weird.

wow... are the ****'s a result of an automatic filter, or did you do that yourself? :)

I think Carter would be fantastic for NY--- based on all-star game votes, he's got more star power than the entire Knicks team combined!

He managed to get through last season w/o any injury occurrences, so perhaps he's put the quad pulls behind him.

If Marbury isn't part of a deal... Toronto would really need to take Tim Thomas in a deal.

I'd definitely give up TT....I'd go ahead and give up TT, KT and FW as the heart of the package. I'd also take on Alvin Williams deal. I'm sure most would...question is what is Toronto looking for. They could get 3 potential starters in that package (or at least 2 starters and 1 top backup). That's not really enough for a superstar though.

TT, KT and FW maybe with a second rounder is not a so bad package even for vince carter. I mean basketball-wise. Talent-wise and financial-wise, trading carter for anything other than another superstar would be a disaster.

I'd definitely give up TT....I'd go ahead and give up TT, KT and FW as the heart of the package. I'd also take on Alvin Williams deal. I'm sure most would...question is what is Toronto looking for. They could get 3 potential starters in that package (or at least 2 starters and 1 top backup). That's not really enough for a superstar though.

Not really....if Toronto can get better overal they would be fine without a superstar so to speak.

They could have Bosh, TT, the Brazilian kid, Rafer, and Mo Pete.....Not bad for a team that is still young. What good would Ray Allen or Rahim do for them as far as wins and loses?

Vince is just a marketing thing for Toronto that's why he wants out....Vince wants to get a taste of playoff basketball again...on a good team. Toronto should help him out just as other teams have done in the past....just as long as they can still remain compeditive.

[Edited by - enyspree on 07/30/2004 10:05:11]

Posted by DefAndReb:

They would need someone marquee to replace him, and we only have Marbury. That TT talk is nonsense, unless Babschlong is that stupid.

I am thisclose to editing the forum software to do a find and replace of Babcock to Babschlong before a post happens.

He would definitely make our team more exciting, and the impact in the tickets sale would be great. Sellout streaks would be news again at the Garden. My only concern would be his health. Coming to NY he would be one of the most important pieces on the team and losing him, with Houston already shaky, would be very tough for a team that expects to be in the playoffs again in a better seed. If we end up trading KT then we would somehow have to bring more size to the team, and I'm not talking about Baker. More deals would have to happen to keep us competitive because we know how important is to have a good frontcourt.

Vince is NOT the kind of player I would want to be my franchise player, but as long as he can stay healthy, he is an awesome #2 man (after Stephon)

I really would need to see what the trade proposal is before I decide whether I would agree with a trade.

he's been mentioned as possibly headed to Dallas- Why does Dallas want/need Vince Carter? They already have a good wing player in Finley- and Fin is probably a better outside shot.

And toronto doesn't need to get a superstar back- just talent- the team hasn't exactly been making the play offs with Vince on the court-