Orlando Acquires Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson From New Jersey
Orlando, FL – The Orlando Magic have acquired eight-time NBA All-Star guard Vince Carter and forward Ryan Anderson from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for guard Rafer Alston, forward-center Tony Battie and guard Courtney Lee, General Manager Otis Smith announced this evening.
“Vince (Carter) gives us a veteran, go-to scoring presence, especially at the end of games,” Smith said. “Our goal remains the same – to win a championship. Any time you can add an All-Star to help you reach your goals, you have to do it. Vince has been a bonafide scorer in this league for 11 seasons and we are excited to add both him and Ryan (Anderson) to our team. We thank Rafer, Tony and Courtney for their efforts and wish them success in the future.”
Carter (6’6”, 220, 1/26/77) played in 80 games last season for New Jersey, averaging 20.8 ppg., 5.1 rpg., 4.7 apg. and 1.03 stlpg. in 36.8 minpg. He scored in double figures 71 times, had 20+ points 44 times, scored 30+ points 13 times and had 40+ points once, a season-high 41 points on Mar. 15 at L.A. Clippers. Carter led (or tied) the Nets in scoring 35 times, in rebounding 17 times and in assists 23 times. He recorded eight double-doubles and one triple-double last season. Carter ranked 16th in the NBA in scoring, tied for 26th in minutes played and tied for 30th in assists.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for me," Carter said. "When I found out I got traded I was like okay, great, then I said okay, where? And they told me back home which is a dream come true. I am excited, proud and just ready to represent my hometown well.”
An eight-time NBA All-Star and a product of nearby Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, FL, Carter was originally selected in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1998 NBA Draft by Golden State, then traded to Toronto on Draft night. He has appeared in 777 career NBA regular season games with Toronto and New Jersey, averaging 23.5 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 4.3 apg. and 1.25 stlpg. in 37.7 minpg. Carter was named to the All-NBA Second Team once (2000-01), the All-NBA Third Team once (1999-2000) and was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 1998-99. He was also a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team that captured a Gold Medal at the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia.
During his career, Carter has averaged 20-or-more points per game in 10 of his 11 NBA seasons. He has also shot .376 (1,192-of-3,168) from beyond the three-point arc during his career. During postseason action, Carter has averaged 25.9 ppg., 6.9 rpg., 5.2 apg. and 1.50 stlpg. in 42.2 minpg.
"I just want to fit in and get to work," he said. "They have already accomplished so much, I just want to take the team one step further.”
Anderson (6’10”, 240, 5/6/88) appeared in 66 games during his rookie campaign with New Jersey last season, averaging 7.4 ppg. and 4.7 rpg. in 19.9 minpg. He shot .365 (69-of-189) from three-point range, which ranked 10th among all NBA rookies, and .845 (98-of-116) from the free throw line. Anderson started in 30 games, averaging 8.7 ppg. and 6.0 rpg. in 24.8 minpg., while shooting .379 (39-of-103) from three-point range. He scored in double figures 17 times, including a career-high 21 points on Dec. 15 @ Toronto, and recorded three double-doubles.
Alston (6’2”, 175, 7/24/76) played in 77 total games during the regular season with Houston and Orlando, averaging 11.7 ppg., 5.3 apg., 2.9 rpg. and 1.40 stlpg. in 31.8 minpg. With the Magic, he averaged 12.0 ppg., 5.1 apg., 2.9 rpg. and 1.76 stlpg. in 29.5 minpg. (29 games). Alston also appeared and started in 23 postseason games, averaging 12.2 ppg., 4.1 apg., 2.4 rpg. and 1.43 stlpg. in 32.2 minpg.
Battie (6’11”, 240, 2/11/76) played in 77 regular season outings with the Magic, averaging 4.8 ppg. and 3.6 rpg. in 15.6 minpg. He also appeared in 21 playoff games, averaging 2.1 ppg. and 1.0 rpg. in 6.1 minpg. Battie was a member of the Magic during the last five seasons (2004-09).
Lee (6’5”, 200, 10/3/85) appeared in 77 games during his rookie campaign with Orlando, averaging 8.4 ppg., 2.3 rpg. and 1.2 apg. in 25.2 minpg. He started in 42 outings, averaging 10.1 ppg., 2.9 rpg., 1.4 apg. and 1.07 stlpg. in 29.7 minpg. during that span. Lee played in 21 playoff games (16 starts), averaging 8.0 ppg., 1.9 rpg. and 1.3 apg. in 26.2 minpg.