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TORONTO, Canada -- The Toronto media is buzzing with the confirmation from Vince Carter himself that he wants to be traded away from the Raptors. He's stated his preference as well: Stay in the Eastern Conference and play in New York, the "basketball mecca" as he calls it, or in Florida.

Raptors fans have completely turned on their local star. The radio talk shows are filled with angry calls, the majority of which are from fans who have been backing Carter's career since his arrival in Toronto and have even stood up for him during this summer of uncertainty.

This final confirmation, though, shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, considering that the rumors of his agent having made this request surfaced months ago. Many reasons for Carter's feelings have been discussed. Carter had an agreement with front office staff which wasn't kept regarding personnel consultation, and there have been questionable dealings with coaching staff and team mates.

GM Rob Babcock is still holding strong in the media. He claims that a trade is not imminent and he won't move Carter unless there is a good deal on the table that will improve the Raptors. Babcock is not going to make a trade just for the sake of a trade and give away his best asset for just any player. This is also the slow period for trades, where most teams are now just signing role players to fill out the roster and are getting ready to send out the invitations to training camp starting the first week of October.

Ray Allen is a Fit

Here's a thought. Ray Allen, the Sonics star player, is going into the last year of his current deal and has also said he wouldn't mind being moved. In fact, Allen has called Toronto a desirable city to play in.

Much of the trouble Carter has had with the fans comes from his recent lack of desire to drive to the basket, instead settling for outside jumpers. Ray Allen, on the other hand, has always appeared to be a hard worker and his shooting is exceptional. The Raptors would be sacrificing a high flyer who has grounded himself for fear of injury and getting a substance-rather-than-flash style of player.

So what are the challenges in this proposal?

Vince Carter has 3 years + one option left on his contract, paying him $12.5, $13.8, $15.1 and $16.3 million in his option year, which is a player option. Ray Allen is playing the last year on his current contract, earning $14.6 million.

The Raptors would want to have Allen signed to a long term contract, to assure themselves of Allen's services for years to come. Any deal would also have to be re-worked to accommodate the difference in salaries. Possibilities could be Seattle sending an additional player to Toronto with Allen, additional players from both teams being involved to even out the salaries, or involving a third team interested in a small piece of either team's assets.

Of all the options available to the Raptors, Seattle seems to be the most realistic and the most accommodating trade partner.

With just over two weeks to go before training camp, this might be a move the Raptors should explore before players arrive in camp, to avoid the proverbial "cancer" player attitude infecting the rest of the team.