http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/TorontoSun/Sports/2004/12/14/781739-sun.html

Writing's on wall

THIS COULD BE THE WEEK THAT VINCE IS TRADED AWAY

By BILL HARRIS, TORONTO SUN

THEORETICALLY, Vince Carter could be traded on Christmas day. Now, we're not suggesting that's what's going to happen, with the Carters gathered around the dining-room table, ready to carve the turkey, only to be interrupted by a jarring, if not unwelcome, phone call.

But unlike the NHL, the NBA does not have an embargo on trades during the holidays.

Nonetheless, trades don't usually happen between Christmas and New Year's Day. But that has more to do with team executives taking time off themselves, rather than any technical limitations on roster moves.

Frankly, if the Raptors and the New York Knicks are going to get together on a Carter deal, it likely will come to a head this week.

Players who signed free-agent contracts last summer, as well as rookies, can be traded as of tomorrow (Dec. 15), according to league rules. So logically, if that's what has been holding up a Raptors-Knicks marriage, tomorrow could be the wedding day.

Regardless, the two teams continue to talk seriously about a multi-player transaction that would send Carter, Jalen Rose and one or two more players to the Big Apple for Allan Houston, Tim Thomas, Jerome (Junk Yard Dog) Williams and one or two others. Some draft picks and a few million bucks in cash might exchange hands as well.

Yes, we know Knicks general manager Isiah Thomas said on Sunday he has no intention of trading Houston, who just recently came back from a serious knee injury. But at the risk of being labelled cynical, by no means do we see Thomas' declaration as an iron-clad guarantee.

Most reports out of New York have indicated the only untouchable Knick is guard Stephon Marbury. Certainly, if Knicks centre Nazr Mohammed or guard Jamal Crawford ever were offered, Raptors general manager Rob Babcock's eyes might light up like a child on Christmas morning.

However, you can't blame Thomas for trying to dump his recycle bin on Toronto's front lawn, given the Raptors' current seven-game losing streak, their frustrated fans, their disgruntled stars, their volatile coach and the general sense of doom and despair at the Air Canada Centre, protestations of optimism notwithstanding.

Babcock claims he feels no pressure to make a deal. Insert your own punchline here.

The Raptors brass has gathered this week with some huge decisions to make. Understandably, no team wants to make a trade when it's desperate. But the Raptors may have backed themselves into a corner.

Do the Knicks represent the only realistic chance the Raptors are going to have this season of jettisoning Carter and Rose, both of whom have hefty mutli-year contracts attached to their names?

Carter could receive the gift of a change of scenery at any moment. Only then will he cast aside his psychological crutches, ignore the pain in his left Achilles, leap to his feet and cry out, "God bless us, every one!"

marc berman of the north?

The only way I would do this trade, is if they include D Marshall. Something like Houston, TT, and Jerome for Vince, J Rose, and D Marsh.

It all depends on the pieces they give up. Carter has more value than Houston & TT combined. With Carter maybe Dalembert or Kwame or Curry & Chandler become more of a possibility in the right deal come the deadline. What could Carter & Muhammad get us at the deadline or in the offseason.

I do worry about the other player or 2 we would have to add. And how long there contracts are.

better happen quickly because I think you have to wait 60 days before you can retrade a guy, unless you do it within the first 5 days. I have no problem getting Vince. I have a huge problem getting Jalen Rose.

I hardly consider Houston injury prone. Before last season, he only missed, what was it 32 games for his career?
I'm not saying Allan won't get hurt again, but 'injury prone' may be a little exageration.

pelase dont trade JYD isiad!!!!!!!!

TT for VC is like hearing rumors that the Nets are shipping Scalabrine to the Heat for SHAQ!! hahahaha!!!

Hopefully the Raptors brass haven't seen too many Knicks games of late. (rolling eyes, shaking head)

Posted by gunsnewing:

yeah that is concerning but with Vince Carter we can make virtually any trade we want because he is a BIGGGGGGG name. What team wouldn't love to have him from a marketing stand point alone. So we'd still be able to trade him for a great PF/C.

Yeah, but I don't think Isiah would be getting Vince to trade him. I think Stephon, Jamal, and Vince if this trade occured would be identified as "Isiah's guys." It looks bad when you work so hard to get a player and then just trade him.