TRADE: Vince Carter to Magic, Alston/C.Lee/Battie to Nets

[WTFchris]

Sources: Nets, Magic in serious talks

By Chad Ford
ESPN.com

The New Jersey Nets are in serious talks with the Magic about a deal that will send Vince Carter 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.
The deal, if completed, would also give the Nets a young, promising shooting guard in Lee.

NJ attempt to go after Lebron?

Air Disney could work well since there are plenty of weapons there.

[Glenn]

There are some Devin Harris trade rumblings out there too, which the addition of Alston might lend some additional creedence to.

[WTFchris]

That would be a bad move IMO. They need some decent players to draw Lebron's attention.

Harris, Dooling, Yi, Najera, Lopez, Williams and Anderson add up to 25 mil. they could add Lebron and another max type FA (like Amare) and have a pretty solid lineup:

PG Harris/Dooling
SG Lebron
SF Yi/Najera
PF Amare
C Lopez/Williams

That's not including their pick this year and the one owed to them next year.

[Glenn]

It Happened.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketb..._campaign=8315

[WTFchris]

I think it's win win for both. NJ gets the cap space for next year (weren't contending anyway). Orlando gets some good firepower and he expires when Pietrus is due a raise. Their only question is whether they can afford Hedo and Gortat (tax wise).

I wonder if this makes Pietrus available?

[Kstat]

agree that it's a win-win for both teams.

[Glenn]

There are some Devin Harris trade rumblings out there too, which the addition of Alston might lend some additional creedence to.

Here's what a TWolves beat writer posted, he references DX, but I can't locate it there:

Draftxpress reports talk of three-way deal: Minn gets Devin Harris, Mem gets 5 & 6, Nets gets Rubio and Rhino. Don't get that.

http://twitter.com/JerryZgoda

[MoTown]

I think NJ won in this trade. Courtney Lee showed some good signs, and I'm not sure how well VC will work with Howard/Lewis/Turk (possibly). Looks good on paper, though.

[Kstat]

VC is a good enough shooter that you can't leave him open.

Put him at the 2 along with Turkoglu and Lewis, and I think the Magic are serious contenders next season.

[MoTown]

Possibly, but Carter likes to dominate the ball at times. Plus that adds another jumpshooter to a team full of jumpshooters.

I know Orlando needed to make a trade to get better, and this might work out. I'm just a bit skeptical.