Vince Carter now plays for the Orlando Magic.

Bluehorseshoe · 06-25-09, 03:52 PM

Magic Acquire Vince Carter

By: Bill Ingram Last Updated: 6/25/09 3:49 PM ET | 128

HOOPSWORLD has confirmed through three independent sources involved in the discussion that the Orlando Magic have traded Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee to the New Jersey Nets for All-Star guard Vince Carter.

The move comes in the wake of the Magic's biggest Eastern Conference rival, the Cleveland Cavaliers, announcing that they have worked out a deal to land Shaquille O'Neal. Not to be outdone, the Magic have acquired an elite player at the one position where they didn't have one.

Lee, who is one of the best up-and-coming point guards in the NBA (and the last rookie standing from the 2008 NBA Draft) adds to a deep young talent pool in New Jersey, while Carter gives the Magic the one weapon they lacked against the Los Angeles Lakers: a scoring two who can create his own shot and keep Kobe Bryant busy on the defensive end.

This does not end the Magic's pursuit of free agent small forward Hedo Turkoglu, but it certainly makes it harder for Hedo to consider leaving town. The Magic have every intention of continuing their pursuit of Turkoglu.

The deal still lacks league approval, but has cleared all hurdles en route to New York offices.

Quick look at the dollars: This is a huge financial commitment from the Orlando Magic. It adds roughly $16 million to their salary commitments for both 2010-11 and 2011-12, when Carter will be approaching 35 years of age. It also adds a little over $2 million to their obligations for 2009-10, which is what will impact the money they have available for Turkoglu.

Remember, they can re-sign Turkoglu with his Bird Rights, but they have previously indicated they would only exceed the Luxury Tax level for the right set of personnel. Are Turkoglu and Carter together the right set?

For the Nets this saves them a little over $2 million in 2009-10 and obviously a ton more in the following two seasons. They can keep Lee for very cheap for three more seasons, and can save even more money should they choose to waive Alston, whose contract is not fully guaranteed.

KingRevolver · 06-25-09, 03:58 PM

I guess the Magic are done fvckin' around.

pavyracer · 06-25-09, 04:06 PM

Horrible trade.

KingRevolver · 06-25-09, 04:14 PM

For?

Bluehorseshoe · 06-25-09, 04:17 PM

It might be a good fit for Vince. He can't carry a team anymore but he is still clutch.

ICE-BLOOD · 06-25-09, 04:46 PM

vince carter has nothing left

if he gets the ball dowm the stretch in orlando's close games, they'll lose

good move for the nets

jjgold · 06-25-09, 05:56 PM

Great pick up for Orlando

raydog · 06-25-09, 06:18 PM

Originally posted by ICE-BLOOD

vince carter has nothing left

if he gets the ball dowm the stretch in orlando's close games, they'll lose

good move for the nets

last year he was a 20-5-5 guy. thats nothing to you? besides, late in the game, he will be the 4th option, not the 1st. great addition imo . makes orlando more dangerous than cleveland

BGS 9.5 · 06-25-09, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by ICE-BLOOD

vince carter has nothing left

if he gets the ball dowm the stretch in orlando's close games, they'll lose

good move for the nets

I agree with you

Shafted69 · 06-25-09, 06:25 PM

Will the Tragick even make the playoffs with this washed up bum who can't even play D ?

tullamore · 06-25-09, 06:26 PM

Great trade for the Nets.

HeavyHitter77 · 06-25-09, 06:28 PM

yep

Originally posted by ICE-BLOOD

vince carter has nothing left

if he gets the ball dowm the stretch in orlando's close games, they'll lose

good move for the nets

you think

raydog · 06-25-09, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by BGS 9.5

I agree with you

frostno98 · 06-25-09, 06:31 PM

Magics won't do d1ck, unless Turkgolu resigns. If so, watchout Lebron and Shaq.

hothandsmgee · 06-25-09, 07:00 PM

thank god the Nets have gotten rid of that lazy has-been.

ZBOIZ · 06-25-09, 09:06 PM

very bad trade

ZBOIZ · 06-25-09, 09:07 PM

How can you trade such promising talent in Lee for Carter ???? Horrible

SportsTerminator · 06-25-09, 10:24 PM

What a horrible HORRIBLE trade for the Nets! The Nets already have a point guard Devin Harris. Courtney Lee can chip keyword chip in some points and Tony Battie is old and washed up. Cmon! Terrible! What a steal by Orlando. Losing Rafer means nothing because they have Jameer and Vince triples the amount of points for Lee and Battie. Horrid trade for the Nets!

And Vince has done a lot for the Nets this past season... a lot... He still has plenty in the tank.

Courney Lee, Battie, and Rafer for an ALL-STAR are you serious!! AT least T-mac for Vince or Ginobili for Vince like they proposed before...

SportsTerminator · 06-25-09, 10:41 PM

And they gave away Ryan Anderson one of the best 3 point shooters in percentages in the league...

lakerboy · 06-25-09, 10:44 PM

i cant believe orlando did this. courtney lee will be a superb young player for years to come. vince carter is a has been. im shocked the magic did this but this means turk is leaving- watch

KingRevolver · 06-25-09, 11:35 PM

Eh - disagree with most of you guys. I mean yes, it sucks giving up Courtney Love, he's a very good young player but I think having a player like Carter can definitely help them out. He still has gas left in the tank. But like another poster said, if they don't resign Turk then they're fvcked.

ttwarrior1 · 06-26-09, 01:37 AM

this easily makes the magic the favs, courtney was overrated, went to school where i live, nothing but a good role player, started by default, cleveland still needs to find someone to guard lewis and now vince

TheIntegrityKid · 06-26-09, 01:40 AM

Orlando needs a true PF tho to complement Dwight. Either way, will still be a highly entertaining team...