Post by SOME BIG ASS TDS on Jun 25, 2009 15:43:52 GMT -5
The New Jersey Nets are in serious talks with the Magic about a deal that will send Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson to Orlando for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee, two league sources told ESPN.com.
The talks have reached a point that a deal could be done by the end of the day Thursday, according to sources.
The trade would give the Magic even more star power on their quest to win an NBA championship. The addition of Carter to a lineup that already consists of All-Star players Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson would make Orlando the favorite to win the Eastern Conference title next year if the franchise also finds a way to bring back Hedo Turkoglu, who will opt out of his contract this summer.
As for the Nets, the move is a cost-cutting measure. Both Alston and Battie are in the last year of their contracts, and trading for them would shave $16.5 million off New Jersey's roster in the summer of 2010 and put the Nets well below the salary cap.
Over the life of the contracts, the Nets would save $40 million by making the deal.
The deal, if completed, would also give the Nets a young, promising shooting guard in Lee.
Chad Ford covers the NBA and NBA draft for ESPN Insider.
I would hate to give up Courtney Lee but I think Vince Carter is a player the Orlando Magic desperately need. I'm a big fan of Alston but I think Anthony Johnson is a more than capable back-up PG to Jameer and if they somehow can re-sign Turkogolu look out.
The talks have reached a point that a deal could be done by the end of the day Thursday, according to sources.
The trade would give the Magic even more star power on their quest to win an NBA championship. The addition of Carter to a lineup that already consists of All-Star players Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson would make Orlando the favorite to win the Eastern Conference title next year if the franchise also finds a way to bring back Hedo Turkoglu, who will opt out of his contract this summer.
As for the Nets, the move is a cost-cutting measure. Both Alston and Battie are in the last year of their contracts, and trading for them would shave $16.5 million off New Jersey's roster in the summer of 2010 and put the Nets well below the salary cap.
Over the life of the contracts, the Nets would save $40 million by making the deal.
The deal, if completed, would also give the Nets a young, promising shooting guard in Lee.
Chad Ford covers the NBA and NBA draft for ESPN Insider.
I would hate to give up Courtney Lee but I think Vince Carter is a player the Orlando Magic desperately need. I'm a big fan of Alston but I think Anthony Johnson is a more than capable back-up PG to Jameer and if they somehow can re-sign Turkogolu look out.
