Vince Carter wants to be traded to an eastern conference team and preferably New York, but Raptors GM Rob Babcock and company probably know Carter has no trade protection, so if they're quick, they should trade him to Seattle.

While the magical possibility that the Raptors might acquire Peja Stojakovic for any less than their entire team dwindles, in Seattle another quiet star waits. Ray Allen, an eight-year NBA pro with the Sonics, is arguably a perfect fit for a Raptors team grasping for stability.

Allen has proven to be a class act everywhere he's been, and an all-star as well. True, Allen lacks the star power of Carter, but what he does bring is a stable jump shot and an immediate fill at shooting guard. Additionally, the Raps might be able to get some nice pieces in return for their injury-prone superstar.

Forwards Nick Collison, Ansu Sesay, and Danny Fortson would be interesting considerations, and maybe if Babcock is really sharp, he'll be able to wrestle big man Jerome James away from Seattle, giving the Raptors more dominating size up front and a nice platoon for rookie center Rafael Araujo.

As the trade rumors continue to spiral around the Raptors organization with increasing fury, there will undoubtedly be several other trades that end up on the table, but this is undoubtedly one that the Raps would do well to consider, despite the obvious appeal of trading Carter to the Knicks straight up for Shandon Anderson.

Though this is undoubtedly a risky trade, it is one that would not only allow the Raptors to fill immediate holes, but bring calm to the stormy waters upon which the organization floats. The Raps need to improve immediately, because only with respectability will the team be able to again become a serious competitor in the ever improving east.

If the Raptors are waiting for the trade that is going to send them right back to the penthouse, they'll be waiting for a while. Rebuilding, or should I say, building, is a process, and a stable foundation is the only way that process can commence.

Of course Vince will most likely be lamenting his spot on the Raptors' roster well into the season, so nobody get too excited. If you're like me and you really want to watch Ray Allen in Toronto, you might have to settle for renting Spike Lee's He Got Game.