The Rockets and Spurs are known suitors for Vince Carter’s services, but apparently the Blazers have entered the fray.
Sources say the Blazers and Nets have discussed a deal that would send Carter to Portland for Raef LaFrentz and his expiring contract along with Travis Outlaw and Sergio Rodriguez.
LaFrentz’s $12.7 million comes off the books this summer and Outlaw is an upgrade to the Nets situation at the three. As for the Blazers, adding Carter gives them a veteran small forward who has more playoff experience than most of the players on Portland’s roster.
See this trade in the ESPN Trade Machine.
It seems strange to me that a young team like the Blazers would want to acquire the 32-year-old Carter. He is playing at a very high level, but his contract runs another two seasons at the tune of $33.6 million, which would severely impact the team’s salary cap space in the fateful summer of 2010.
However, I can see why they might want to pull the trigger here. The Blazers are currently sitting in the 4th spot in the Western Conference playoff race and the two teams fighting for that spot — the Hornets and the Rockets — just lost Tyson Chandler and Tracy McGrady, respectively. With the Lakers safely in the #1 position, the Blazers may be looking ahead to a semifinal showdown with Kobe and Co. Having Carter in tow should help Portland’s chances of pulling an upset.
Now, about next summer…Portland could be looking at the free agent class of 2010 and wondering if they have a legitimate shot of signing any of the five big-name free agents. LeBron is probably going to re-sign with the Cavs or jet to the Knicks or the Nets, D-Wade will probably re-sign with the Heat, Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire play the same position as LaMarcus Aldridge and Joe Johnson plays the same position as Brandon Roy. Instead of holding out hope that they can sign an impact player next summer, the Blazers are thinking about adding one now, and all it’s going to cost them is a solid small forward (Travis Outlaw) and a young point guard prospect (Sergio Rodriguez).
Why are the Nets thinking about this deal? Salary cap flexibility. Without Carter on the payroll, the Nets would only be on the hook for $27 million heading into 2010, with Devin Harris and Brook Lopez locked up for two more seasons. That’s an attractive situation for a big-name free agent (or two).
During his chat yesterday, Chad Ford commented on the Blazers desire to upgrade at small forward.
Sounds like their primary target is Gerald Wallace. The problem is that Charlotte wants them to take back Nazr Mohammed in any deal. Richard Jefferson is an easier get, but he’s got a bigger salary, is older and isn’t as good of a defender. I think Caron Butler is the best fit, but I’m not convinced Washington will let him go. Vince Carter is intriguing, but you have to worry about chemistry a bit with him. Bottom line, I think the Blazers will do a deal and I think it will be something that lands them Wallace or Jefferson.
The Blazers, armed with Raef LaFrentz’s expiring contract (most of which is covered by an insurance policy) are definitely on the prowl for a small forward.
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