Vince Carter demands trade: report
After months of biting his lip, Raptors guard Vince Carter says he wants out of Toronto.
According to Thursday's Toronto Star, Carter has discussed his feelings with Raptors general manager Rob Babcock and first-year coach Sam Mitchell, saying "it's just time for me to look after me."
Carter, rumoured to be on the move since the end of last season, added he went public because he's frustrated Babcock hasn't moved quickly enough to send him elsewhere.
Babcock on Thursday told the Associated Press that Carter won't be moved.
"He's under contract with our team," he said. "We expect him to fulfil all obligations of the contract."
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Numerous reports over the summer claimed Carter was unhappy with the direction of the NBA team and with not being consulted in major Raptor decisions such as the hiring of Babcock and Mitchell.
Babcock acknowledged the trade demand is an "issue" for the franchise, but he said "it's not really an issue" because he's under contract.
"Is it the ideal way going to camp? No," Babcock said. "But it's really not the nightmare that other people think it is."
Carter reportedly wants to go to an Eastern Conference team, ideally the New York Knicks, Miami Heat or Orlando Magic.
However, dealing Carter won't be easy, given the fact he has three years â plus a fourth at his option â remaining on a six-year, $90 million US contract extension signed after the 2000-01 season.
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.
"If he comes in with an open mind that's all we want," Babcock said. "He hasn't had an opportunity to play under this system and see what it's like to be a part of this basketball team. This is a whole new era."
The six-foot-seven-inch Carter, who averaged more than 24 points a game last season, will earn $12 million US in 2004-05.
Carter played in 73 of 82 regular-season games for a Raptors squad that finished with a record of 33-49 and out of the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
If Carter is still in Toronto come Nov. 3, he'll enter his third straight campaign with a new head coach and second in a row with a new GM.
The Raptors are scheduled to open training camp on Oct. 5.