Vince Carter to the Magic?

As we get closer the NBA Draft tonight, trade rumors are flying everywhere. One rumor picking up steam is Vince Carter going to the Magic for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee. I’ll have some thoughts on this if it actually happens. For now, here’s the report from ESPN.com:

The New Jersey Nets are in serious talks with the Magic about a deal that will send Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson to Orlando for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee, two league sources told ESPN.com.

The talks have reached a point that a deal could be done by the end of the day Thursday, according to sources.

The trade would give the Magic even more star power on their quest to win an NBA championship. The addition of Carter to a lineup that already consists of All-Star players Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelsonwould make Orlando the favorite to win the Eastern Conference title next year if the franchise also finds a way to bring back Hedo Turkoglu, who will opt out of his contract this summer.

As for the Nets, the move is a cost-cutting measure. Both Alston and Battie are in the last year of their contracts, and trading for them would shave $16.5 million off New Jersey’s roster in the summer of 2010 and put the Nets well below the salary cap.

Rumor: Pistons Reject Celtics’ Blockbuster Offer

The Boston Celtics offered the Detroit Pistons Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo for Rip Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey, and Tayshaun Prince, but it was immediately rejected.  It would have been a huge steal for the Celtics if it would have gone through.

RealGM: The Celtics reportedly offered Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen to the Pistons for Rodney Stuckey, Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince.

League sources told Yahoo! Sports of the deal, which reportedly never made it past lower level executives as Detroit rejected the offer immediately.

The offer was made this past weekend.