http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...=tsn&type=lgns
For a long time, the obstacle to trading Raptors SG Vince Carter was his popularity. The fear was that, if the team traded Carter, attendance would plummet and the franchise eventually would have to move. Now, attendance is a concern even with Carter, whose popularity is at an all-time low--the Raptors drew a franchise-low 13,863 fans for a game earlier this month; Carter has been booed at home, and a poll by The Globe and Mail asking whether the team should trade Carter tallied 949-146 in favor of a deal at one point. For the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment group, which owns the Raptors and NHL's Maple Leafs, the timing to move Carter is perfect. Getting rid of SG Jalen Rose and his $47 million over three years along with Carter would be a nice bonus. The ownership group is losing massive revenue from the NHL lockout and would like to pare its NBA payroll. . . .