If the Raptors dragged Vince Carter out behind back of the Air Canada Centre and shot him, they’d become a better team. He wants out of Toronto, and he’s willing to sulk and act like a bitch on the court to get his way. The Raptors are trying to build something… Chris Bosh is a stud, and Rafer Alston’s been an amazing addition. They don’t need Vince Carter, not even a happy Vince Carter… so if they can get rid of him, they should.

The proposed deal sends Shareef Abdur-Rahim and some other combination of players from Portland to Toronto, and here’s where the snag comes in. Toronto also wants Portland to take Jalen Rose, who has four years and something like $820 million left on his contract. Jalen Rose is an underrated player, but I don’t know if any team in the NBA’s going to want that contract.

It’d be a great deal for the Raptors if they can get it. ‘Reef and Bosh would immediately be one of the top frontcourts in the league. For Portland… who the hell knows what they’re getting. If Vince Carter was happy and motivated, I still don’t know how much he helps. In a perfect world, Carter outside and Zach Randolph down low should be a fairly lethal combination. It juts seems unlikely that it would work out for the best for Portland. Vince is an unbelievable talent (though he’s not as explosive as he used to be), but I don’t know what he contributes to a team atmosphere… especially one as fragile as Portland’s.