New Jersey Ready to Move Vince Carter

After officially trading Jason Kidd yesterday, it appears Rod Thorn's next move would be to trade Vince Carter. This will be difficult for them to do because he has another three years on his contract after this season for almost fifty million dollars. So who would be willing to trade for Carter? Isiah and the Knicks, of course.

New Jersey Gets:
*Jason Williams
Salary: $8,937,500 Years Remaining: 1
*Ricky Davis
Salary: $6,819,000 Years Remaining: 1

New York Gets:
*Dorell Wright
Salary: $2,040,746 Years Remaining: 1
*Vince Carter
Salary: $13,325,000 Years Remaining: 5
*Smush Parker
Salary: $2,250,000 Years Remaining: 1

Miami Gets:
*Randolph Morris
Salary: $810,000 Years Remaining: 1
*Nate Robinson
Salary: $1,268,160 Years Remaining: 2
*Eddy Curry
Salary: $8,947,543 Years Remaining: 3
*Fred Jones
Salary: $3,300,000 Years Remaining: 1

In this trade, the Nets are able to dump Vince Carter's long-term, expensive contract for two 2008 expiring contracts. It would allow the Nets to have cap room, while still maintaining a core of Richard Jefferson, Devin Harris, Nenad Krstic, Sean Williams, Marcus Williams, and Josh Boone. Perhaps, the Nets would also get another future draft pick in the trade on top of the one's they will receive from Dallas.

The Knicks would be receiving a legitimate perimeter scorer to pair with Jamal Crawford. A likely lineup would be Crawford, Carter, Jeffries, Lee, and Randolph. The Knicks would be in position to draft a point guard in this year's draft. Wright is also an intriguing player who becomes a restricted free agent after this season.

The Heat would pull in two rotation players and two expiring contracts. Robinson would be a spark off the bench for Miami and Curry would be the inside threat that would be missing. Coach Pat Riley has had success with big men in the past, and Miami would be a good fit for Curry. A lineup of Marcus Banks, Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion, Udonis Haslem, and Eddy Curry with Daequan Cook, Nate Robinson, and Mark Blount off the bench would be strong. A point guard such as Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo, or Darren Collison would be targeted.

Randolph Morris' Unique Journey to the NBA

After the 2005 college basketball season, Kentucky center Randolph Morris declared himself eligible for the NBA draft. From the start, it was widely determined that he was making a bad decision. Morris struggled defensively and was inconsistent on offense in his freshman year. He decided not to sign with an agent and ended up not being selected in the 2005-06 draft. After not being drafted, Morris returned to Kentucky for his sophomore and junior seasons under Tubby Smith.

Because of his status as an undrafted player, Morris was able to become an unrestricted free agent and sign with any team. Unlike most undrafted players, however, Morris had not signed with an agent. Morris chose to return to Kentucky after his freshman season and played another two seasons. Since he had already been in the draft once, he was unable to be drafted in the NBA again. Morris was suspended for fourteen games during his sophomore season because in the eyes of the NCAA, he had an agent working on his behalf. The proof of this for the NCAA was that because he did not pay all his own expenses associated with working out for NBA teams.

Over the next two seasons, Morris was one of the top players in the SEC and became a legitimate NBA draft pick. He averaged nearly a double-double last year and played well in some key games.

After his junior season at Kentucky, head coach Tubby Smith left for Minnesota. Shortly after, Morris decided to leave Kentucky and pursue an NBA contract. Morris signed a two year deal worth $1,600,000 with the New York Knicks. A majority of his salary he received during his first NBA season and Morris will make $810,000 this season. Morris’ salary is on par with what the 26th pick received in the 2006 draft and what the 30th pick will sign for in from this years draft.

Morris is a 6'11", 250 pound center, who has shown in the past some crafty moves around the basket. He has several solid post moves including a drop step, a nice spin, and some good jump hooks. Morris’ biggest weaknesses are on the defensive end. He needs to become a better shot blocker and more of a defensive stopper. Additionally, he needs to work on his mid-range jump shot. Morris possess good hands but struggles to put the ball on the floor.

In the end, Morris was lucky to not be drafted in 2005. If he had been a late second round pick, his college career would have been over. He most likely would have signed an rookie minimum contract and end up playing in the NBDL or overseas. Instead, Morris is guaranteed to at least make $1,500,000 and could have a future in the NBA.