Exchanging Problems: New Jersey Nets-Indiana Pacers Talking Vince Carter-Jermaine O’Neal Swap

The New York Daily News is reporting the following: 

There have been rumors that the Nets have been trying to talk the Pacers into taking Vince Carter in exchange for Jermaine O’Neal, but Indiana hasn’t budged.

My AM Take: You take my problem. I take your problem. Many trades and trade rumors are an exchange of headaches –aspirin for aspirin; advil for advil.

Vince Carter for Jermaine O’Neal falls into this category. Both have fallen out of favor with their current team. And this proposal wouldn’t help their ‘new’ team, either.

Indiana is young. Carter’s unprofessional approach would have a negative influence in the locker room. Just ask Chris Bosh about Carter quitting in Toronto. After dealing Kidd, New Jersey needs to rebuild, not regroup around a banged-up O’Neal.

Worst of all, both are cap killers, earning the gross domestic product of a developing nation. Carter is owed 45 million dollars over the next three years, while O’Neal is due 40 million dollars over the next two seasons.

Why would the Pacers and Nets entertain this deal? After all, this proposed swap of overpaid, underachieving players isn’t new.

Indiana is desperate to cut ties with O’Neal. But Larry-legend understands V.C. –and the extra year on his contract- isn’t the answer. A Carter-O’Neal swap would save New Jersey five million dollars and get them closer to financial freedom.

There’s no upside for either squad. If possible, the Pacers and Nets should consider other options because a straight Carter for O’Neal trade won’t solve anything.

Does this rumor make sense? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts. The AM Take is Oly’s morning thoughts on the NBA appearing Sunday through Friday on HoopsVibe.com. Errors can be attributed to the time and his need for another coffee. Click here to read and subscribe to his blog.