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It seems Vince Carter wants out of Toronto. Period.
"He wants out and he needs to go," a league source, told the Toronto Globe and Mail in Saturday's editions. "He is very, very firm on that. He needs to go. They're supposed to be working on something right now. It might have to involve a third team, or they may have to acquire someone and pass him through."
The source added that Carter wants to be traded to an Eastern Conference team, ideally the New York Knicks.
Knicks president Isiah Thomas "has lots of interest," the source said. "He'd give up anyone on his roster outside Stephon [Marbury]."
The paper reported that neither new Raptors general manager Rob Babcock nor Carter's agent, Mark Steinberg of IMG, had any comment Friday on Carter's future.
Earlier in the week, Babcock shot down rumors of a potential four-team trade that would land his disgruntled star in Dallas.
"There is no truth to [them] at all," Babcock told the Toronto Sun in Thursday's editions. "We've been getting inquiries about Vince and we're always discussing trades, but there is nothing really active going on. He is a crucial, and very valuable player, on this team and we are not actively trying to trade Vince."
"Babcock is spinning this thing," the source told the Globe and Mail on Saturday. "He can say whatever he wants, but it's been made abundantly clear to him that [Carter] wants out."
Thursday's Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that the Raptors were talking to the Dallas Mavericks and that the Knicks or the Golden State Warriors also could be involved.
According to the report, the Mavericks were looking to send Antoine Walker to New York and the Knicks would send a combination of players to the Raptors, with Shandon Anderson, Dikembe Mutombo and Kurt Thomas being mentioned. Golden State also was mentioned as a possible participant, with Erick Dampier as the main component.
Earlier Wednesday, Babcock told The Associated Press that he would like Carter to stay in Toronto. He just isn't sure if Carter wants to.
"It certainly would be nicer if I knew he definitely wanted to be here, but I can't control Vince.
"My preference is to have Vince here, but that's up to Vince more than it is up to us," he said.
Babcock, hired in early June, spoke at a news conference to introduce free agent point guard Rafer Alston, who signed a five-year, $28 million deal. Babcock, however, answered more questions about Carter.
Babcock has already met with Carter twice and has also spoken to his agent, Mark Steinberg. Last month, the GM was vague when asked if Steinberg requested a trade. Carter is said to be unhappy that the Raptors didn't involve him in their search for a new general manager.
New coach Sam Mitchell and Babcock hope to meet with Carter before his charity game in Toronto on July 30.
"We think that once Vince has the opportunity to get to know Sam and the coaching staff, and myself, and what our philosophy is, and what we're trying to do here, I think he'll love it here," Babcock said.
Carter remains one of the NBA's most popular players because of his highlight-reel dunks, but he has lost some of his explosiveness over the last four years because of knee injuries. He averaged 22.5 points last season.
Source: espn
"He wants out and he needs to go," a league source, told the Toronto Globe and Mail in Saturday's editions. "He is very, very firm on that. He needs to go. They're supposed to be working on something right now. It might have to involve a third team, or they may have to acquire someone and pass him through."
The source added that Carter wants to be traded to an Eastern Conference team, ideally the New York Knicks.
Knicks president Isiah Thomas "has lots of interest," the source said. "He'd give up anyone on his roster outside Stephon [Marbury]."
The paper reported that neither new Raptors general manager Rob Babcock nor Carter's agent, Mark Steinberg of IMG, had any comment Friday on Carter's future.
Earlier in the week, Babcock shot down rumors of a potential four-team trade that would land his disgruntled star in Dallas.
"There is no truth to [them] at all," Babcock told the Toronto Sun in Thursday's editions. "We've been getting inquiries about Vince and we're always discussing trades, but there is nothing really active going on. He is a crucial, and very valuable player, on this team and we are not actively trying to trade Vince."
"Babcock is spinning this thing," the source told the Globe and Mail on Saturday. "He can say whatever he wants, but it's been made abundantly clear to him that [Carter] wants out."
Thursday's Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that the Raptors were talking to the Dallas Mavericks and that the Knicks or the Golden State Warriors also could be involved.
According to the report, the Mavericks were looking to send Antoine Walker to New York and the Knicks would send a combination of players to the Raptors, with Shandon Anderson, Dikembe Mutombo and Kurt Thomas being mentioned. Golden State also was mentioned as a possible participant, with Erick Dampier as the main component.
Earlier Wednesday, Babcock told The Associated Press that he would like Carter to stay in Toronto. He just isn't sure if Carter wants to.
"It certainly would be nicer if I knew he definitely wanted to be here, but I can't control Vince.
"My preference is to have Vince here, but that's up to Vince more than it is up to us," he said.
Babcock, hired in early June, spoke at a news conference to introduce free agent point guard Rafer Alston, who signed a five-year, $28 million deal. Babcock, however, answered more questions about Carter.
Babcock has already met with Carter twice and has also spoken to his agent, Mark Steinberg. Last month, the GM was vague when asked if Steinberg requested a trade. Carter is said to be unhappy that the Raptors didn't involve him in their search for a new general manager.
New coach Sam Mitchell and Babcock hope to meet with Carter before his charity game in Toronto on July 30.
"We think that once Vince has the opportunity to get to know Sam and the coaching staff, and myself, and what our philosophy is, and what we're trying to do here, I think he'll love it here," Babcock said.
Carter remains one of the NBA's most popular players because of his highlight-reel dunks, but he has lost some of his explosiveness over the last four years because of knee injuries. He averaged 22.5 points last season.
Source: espn