December 2004: Vince Carter Traded
"Who'd we get? Richard Jefferson?" - Jalen Rose
Sadly Jalen, the Raptors did not pry any comparable talent away from the New Jersey Nets when trading 7-time All-Star, former Slam Dunk Champion, and arguably the most popular player in the post-Jordan era of the NBA. They did however get 2 draft picks, 2 career journeymen, and a $10 million a year centre whom team doctors would not allow to play. Not mentioned in the press was that GM Rob Babcock received a giant wedgie from Nets GM Rod Thorn as well.
The good news about this trade: Vince Carter ended up taking a loss on the sale of his exclusive condo on the waterfront.
The bad news was that this wasn't just a case of trading a quarter for two dimes, it was akin to leaving the keys in the ignition of your unlocked Porsche. 98-pound nerds fought harder to hold on to their lunch money. Paris Hilton put more consideration into giving up her virginity. After the trade was announced, many Native Americans exclaimed, "Whoa, now that's a bad deal!"
If you're going to so injure a franchise by making a trade such as this, why not just NOT make a trade? Let Vince continue to destroy his reputation, and then wait for perhaps something better to come along OR reap the rewards of the inevitable run-up to free agency year (coincidentally it's this year) that New Jersey will now enjoy instead?
Was this really the best offer the Raptors could get? If so, why wasn't Vince Carter at least a little embarassed by it? He was doggin' it out there and admitted as much afterwards. Was he that convincing in his indifferent play that the best offer was the one New Jersey put out there?
Have I run out of rhetorical questions? No!
Why didn't the Raptors sue Vince Carter? His inability to be a professional caused serious harm to the franchise and probably cost the Raptors a lot of money. If I purposely deleted all the information on my company's servers I think I wouldn't just be fired, I'd be liable for damages incurred. But no, Vince gets shipped off to New Jersey with his big fat contract intact and Raptors fans are left holding Alonzo Mourning's kidney.
Next time New Jersey's in town, let's ask Vince for our money back.
What it boiled down to was we bought Carter out for 10 million and received two 1st round draft picks. Our cap was maxed, our team sucked and we had no draft picks. I think Rob started the painful task of clearing house and I think he set the table for Bob to do what he is doing. In fact, one could argue that Rob did all the dirty work and Bob is getting the credit. Think about it, had Rob not made the picks he made (Slokar, Ukic, Villanueva, Calderon) and freed up cap space we would still be in the mud/shit. Rob did have an image and PR problem, but he should be remembered for having the balls to remove the Carterous tumour and start the healing by clearing the cap (a good chunk of it) and putting us in position to grow through the draft. We should thank Babcock for starting something good here. Also, had Peddie not gotten involved Rob would have waited Mourning out. Rob wasn't afraid to piss off the blind fans who loved Vince, and started changing the culture in the changeroom by bringing good people into it. I think the dubiosity of the trade rests on Carter's and Peddie's shoulders.
Posted by: arsenal | November 01, 2006 at 12:15 PM
who the fuck is Bob?
Posted by: chunkylover | November 01, 2006 at 12:16 PM
Bob=Brian Colangelo...
Posted by: arsenal | November 01, 2006 at 12:17 PM
screw that. just ask for the money tonight. ohhhhhh i can't wait for #1...
Posted by: rachello | November 01, 2006 at 06:49 PM
Awesome. The sheer dubiousity of this moment is colossal. It'll go down in history as perhaps THE worst trade in history.
After all, you have to include Kidney-Boy's buyout and subsequent move to Miami. And that the Williams brothers were not only worthless bit players but also had untradeable contracts.
This trade had it all. I can't wait to see what the no1 dubious moment will be!
Posted by: Don Paco | November 01, 2006 at 07:34 PM
I'm betting the most dubious moment is when the Raptors were named "The Raptors." It was dated and ridiculous before the team even played a game, and forever cemented the franchise as a joke to everyone in the media.
We're named after a freaking movie! This is no worse than the Mighty Ducks, and EVERYONE can admit how stupid that name is.
Posted by: babystewie | November 02, 2006 at 02:40 AM
Boiling down this trade, using the transactions that have cascaded out from it the Raptors ended up buying out Vince Carter for $10 million and received Joey Graham, half of Rasho Nesterovic, and 2 second round draft picks.
Posted by: B-Huge | November 02, 2006 at 02:57 PM
In other words, Cleveland should buy out Lebron because he's taking up cap space. Ummm I don't think so. Sure Carter was making a lot of money but he deserved it WHEN he actually came to play. It's sad to see such talent wasted on a player like Carter
Posted by: Rapsfan | November 02, 2006 at 03:51 PM
Don't forget saving a year off Jalen's contract. The priceless comedy of watching Zeke pay $34 million (of someone else's money) for Rose to play somewhere else. All for the love Rolando Balkman.
If Marty York's sources are correct we could get Wince back for a song! Maybe that's holding up #1?
Posted by: Raven | November 02, 2006 at 05:57 PM
We are having technical difficulties with our man in Amsterdam. In the meantime, please type "I hate Isiah Thomas" into Google and see what happens.
Posted by: B-Huge | November 02, 2006 at 08:39 PM
What could be worse than the Carter trade? The mourning buy out? certainly not the name of the team. Hmm. Maybe the shotgun clause affair, when no one wanted the team?
Posted by: raptorville | November 03, 2006 at 04:35 AM
The shotgun clause was kind of covered in our post about Isiah leaving the franchise, and, really, Allan Slaight knew what he was doing. He made a frickin' mint once he sold the team to MLSE.
Posted by: B-Huge | November 03, 2006 at 10:43 AM
As horrible as the Carter trade is, I expect that the "Eddy Curry for 2 Knicks first rounders" trade will prove to be far more damaging in the long run. Tyrus Thomas is a man-beast, next year's draft crop is expected to be exceptionally strong, and Eddy Curry remains a fat fuck with a bum ticker. The quintessential quote on Eddy Curry was when a reporter asked Scott Skiles how Curry could improve his rebounding. Skiles said, "Jump."
Posted by: Scott Carefoot | November 03, 2006 at 03:12 PM
The Curry trade was indeed terrible but no one thought that the Knicks would be that bad and had the Knicks played to everyone's expectations last year that wouldn't have been the 2nd pick but the 10th pick (Mahmoud Sene). Had New Jersey folded (say because Vince and Jefferson collided in mid-air breaking both of their knees) then the Carter trade might have looked a lot better.
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