Can Carter be the bait for Kobe?

The Toronto Raptors 2003-04 season has been, aside from the development of Chris Bosh, an unmitigated disaster.

However, Toronto has one asset -- Vince Carter -- that may allow them to finally make their way into the echelon of true contenders in the Eastern Conference.

In the off-season the Raps should attempt to trade Carter to the LA Lakers in a sign and trade for Kobe Bryant.

This hinges on a few things. One of which is my understanding that the Lakers, under the Larry Bird rule can still offer Bryant more money than any other team, regardless of cap issues. The other is that Bryant is not found guilty.

Well, there is a third thing -- would Bryant come to Toronto? It's a long shot, but there are enough positives about a Canadian situation for Bryant, that the Raps should at least explore this possibility.

Let's analyze some of the rationale for why this COULD happen.

Why the Lakers do this: At the simplest level, because it beats the hell out of losing Bryant for nothing.

The Shaq-Kobe-Phil Jackson love-in is really coming to a screeching halt, and either Phil will leave this year as he has threatened and a new coach far less adept at handling personalities will arrive, or Bryant will decide that as much as he loves L.A. he needs to go, for his own happiness.

Carter would be a solid fill-in for Bryant. Vince can create his own shot, he passes very well, with more room in the lane due to Shaq, Carter may be able to more effectively attack the bucket. While not a ball hawk, Vince's defense has improved on a night-in night-out basis this season under coach Kevin O'Neill.

What the Lakers lose in Kobe's superior competitiveness and, post Carter knee injuries, athleticism, they gain in Carter's willingness to distribute the basketball -- a trait that could influence the LA futures of Mr.'s Gary Payton and Karl Malone.

Even more importantly, the Lakers will clearly be Shaq's team again, and the resulting harmony, which could possibly lure Jackson back, cannot be underestimated.

On the Jackson page, would the NBA's Zen master not relish the challenge of being the man who finally was able to make "Vince Carter" play to his potential?

If Jackson can accomplish this, the Lakers are laughing, they get a Kobe-talented player who will quite happily play second fiddle.

Why the Raptors do it: It's Kobe Bryant. Next.

Why Bryant does it: Now here's the tricky part. Bryant can write his own ticket so why, aside from a few extra dollars in a sign and trade situation, does he choose Toronto?

Well, there are a few reasons. The first is that the rumors of Bryant to the Nuggets don't make sense to me.

If you're Vanessa Bryant (let alone Kobe) do you want to live in Colorado of ALL places? If you're Bryant do you want to have to deal with the Bryant' or Carmello Anthony's team issue -- even if it was only a media construct?

Next, no matter how the verdict comes down, Bryant will always have a stain on his reputation -- it's unavoidable. Was he innocent, or merely Kobe Bryant?

Perhaps life in another country, and in a city well-known for giving athletes their personal space would have appeal to Kobe and Vanessa. An opportunity to truly start their life over together with minimal reminders of the past would certainly posses a certain cache.

Since Bryant has lived in Italy he may not find the prospect of life outside of the USA as fear inspiring as many of his co-workers do. In fact, Toronto, with an excellent reputation for nightlife, restaurants, and culture might appeal to Kobe. There is a significant West Indies population in Toronto, and events like Caribana have put Toronto on the map for the average NBA player.

Many charge that Bryant is just as media hungry as any of his peers in L.A., They say Toronto can't provide the exposure L.A. does. True, but Carter has lead the NBA all-star balloting for the past four seasons, so it stands to reason that the idea of Toronto as an NBA backwater is patently untrue.

If Bryant wants the spotlight, even in a passive-aggressive way, it can and will be delivered North of the border.

Finally, there is the fact that you know Kobe wants to hand it to Shaq. In one way the West, and the LA Clippers in particular, are best for this. However, I think Bryant wants to win the war, and the West has too many good teams for Kobe to be able to guarantee that he will be a difference maker at the ultimate level.

The East however, as we well know, is wide open. On a pure free agency level only the weakest teams in the East have the cap space, and none of them are particularly well suited, even with Kobe, of contending.

However, the Raptors, who can offer LA value for Bryant, have an intriguing team. Yes they are very small, but even if they deal for Bryant, the Raps would have the money available to be smart shoppers of veteran big-men in the off-season.

With Bryant leading a group including Jalen Rose, Donyell Marshall and the emerging Chris Bosh the Raps would certainly have a legitimate chance of representing the East -- giving Bryant the chance to win the NBA's ultimate prize sans Shaq.

If the Lakers resign Bryant for the purposes of a trade and add another opt-out clause after, say three years, Bryant will have wagered very little for a chance to gain his own team, and more importantly some peace in his turbulent personal life.

At the very least someone from Toronto should be pitching Bryant on that idea.