[Mavs Rule]

Fri, July 16, 2004


Rumour off the Mark

MAVS OWNER SAYS HE HAS NOT TALKED TO RAPS ABOUT VINCE

By STEVE BUFFERY, TORONTO SUN



THE OWNER of the Dallas Mavericks poured cold water on the hot Vince Carter trade rumour yesterday. According to published reports, a three-way deal between the Raptors, Mavericks and New York Knicks is brewing that ultimately would send Carter to Texas.

But there is one stumbling block. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban indicated yesterday that no such deal is brewing.

"I have not spoken to the Raptors," Cuban told the Toronto Sun last night, via e-mail.

According to a report, the Mavericks were looking to send Antoine Walker to New York and the Knicks would send a combination of players to Toronto, with the names Shandon Anderson, Kurt Thomas and Dikembe Mutombo mentioned.

Mutombo would certainly fill the need for an experienced big man, which the Raptors so desperately need to spell off, and mentor, first-round draft pick Rafael Araujo.

Babcock told reporters on Wednesday that he wants Carter to play in Toronto this season and is not actively attempting to trade him, although he did admit that he has talked to many teams about various possible moves.

Carter, who reportedly is disgruntled because he was not consulted prior to the Raptors hiring Babcock and new head coach Sam Mitchell this summer, is still on board for his annual charity all-star game, to be on July 30 at the Air Canada Centre. The game -- which will feature Toronto's Jamaal Magloire, of the New Orleans Hornets, the Raptors' Jalen Rose and 2004 NBA sixth man of the year Antawn Jamison -- gained three more participants yesterday with the addition of newly acquired Raptors point guard Rafer Alston, Philadelphia 76ers forward Kenny Thomas and Boston Celtics guard Chucky Atkins.