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When the Toronto Raptors sent Vince Carter to the New Jersey Nets, the sports media world discussed how the deal helps or hurts each side. The Nets added a significant piece to their puzzle that could potentially put them back in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. Toronto started their rebuilding effort by acquiring financial flexibility and a pair of first round draft picks. It can be argued that the Raptors didn't get enough for the once-superstar. It can also be argued that the Nets are receiving damaged goods for the money.

The real winner in this deal is Vince Carter himself.

Carter’s seven NBA seasons have been up and down, to say the least. From the moment he put on a Raptors uniform he took the league by storm. His unrivaled athleticism, highligh-reel dunks, and North Carolina roots quickly, and unfairly, led to comparisons to Michael Jordan and a host of titles including “Air Canada”, “Vin-sanity”, and “Half Man Half Amazing”. But more impressive than all of that, Carter was developing into a complete basketball player, and as he succeeded, so did his team.

In the 1999-2000 season Vince played in all 82 games and was magnificent, averaging 25.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and over a block and a steal per game, while shooting over 46% from the field. Toronto went on to a record of 45-37 and a postseason appearance.

The following season, only Carter’s third in the league, his dominance continued as his scoring averaged climbed to almost 28 points per game while his other numbers held steady to lead the Raptors to a 47-35 regular season record and the organization's first winning playoff series.

In the three full seasons since that time, his durability, productivity, and reputation have all suffered dramatically. Carter has played over 60 games in a season only once and his numbers have consistently dropped across the board. Even worse, he has developed the dreaded labels of "soft" and "selfish," not just for spending so much time on the injured list but for settling for perimeter jump shots instead of using his athleticism to attack the rim.

This season, things have become worse than ever for Carter. After demanding a trade in the off-season he began the season averaging career-lows in points (15.8), rebounds (3.8), and assists (3.0), minutes (30.0), field goal percentage (.411), and free throw percentage (.694).

But, business is about to pick up for Mr. Carter. He’s coming to an organization that, despite a poor start to the season, has developed a culture of winning in recent years. He’s coming to a team that, with his addition, should be able to push the offensive tempo as well as any other Eastern Conference teams. He’s coming to a team where he can have all the shots he wants without having to be “the man”.

He’s coming to a team with Jason Kidd.

Kidd is going to make the game infinitely easier for Carter. The New Jersey break should be a thing of beauty with Kidd pushing the ball down the center of the floor and Carter and Jefferson streaking down opposite sidelines. If Carter runs the floor he will get more easy buckets than he ever dreamed possible.

In the half court set, Carter will still be given the freedom to create his own shots, and he will be expected to do so efficiently. The people in Toronto might have put up with his fade-away 15 footers, but you can bet if Carter takes the easy way out in New Jersey he’ll have the Nets captain in his ear.

Additionally, Carter is an individual who clearly doesn’t enjoy the pressure of leading a team. Many of his critics call attention to the shot he missed that would have defeated Philedelphia in game seven of the Eastern Conference semi-finals as the beginning of his decline. Even in college, Carter was, at best, an equal to a clearly less talented Antwan Jamison. In New Jersey, Carter will not be expected to be the team leader. The Nets are, and will remain, Jason Kidd’s team. For the first time in his career, Carter does not face the pressure of being completely responsible for the fate of his team.

The Nets have left themselves too thin inside. They'll have to address this. And the Raptors perhaps could have gotten a better deal for their franchise player. But Vince Carter definitely benefits from this deal.

Let's see how Vince handles his new situation.