I can't believe that Toronto did this deal. They didn't get "shyte", for VC. Portland offered Rahim, and would have added a #1 pick, but Toronto wouldn't do it unless Portland took on Jalen Rose. Portland wouldn't, so Toronto trades VC for nothing? Where is the logic in that?
This is how the salaries worked (at least close to the salaries)
Vince Carter
04-05 $12,500,000
Future amount owed
05-06 $13,500,000
06-07 $14,500,000
07-08 $15,500,000
So Toronto got out from underneath $43,500,000 in contracts for the length on Vince's contract.
They took on
Mourning
04-05 $5,600,000
Future amount owed
05-06 $6,250,000
06-07 $6,925,000
Aaron Williams
04-05 $3,175,000
Future amount owed
05-06 $3,425,000
Eric Williams
04-05 $6,100,000
Future amount owed
05-06 $6,700,000
06-07 $7,300,000
So they have taken on $30,600,000. So long term they saved $13,000,000 over the next 3 years.
If they had taken on Rahim, salary for this year would have been equal, and then no requirements for next year. They could choose to let Rahim walk and they save a huge amount, or they could resign. Assume that Rahim signs for a similar amount to what Rasheed Wallace signed for, and Sheed and Rahim are very similar talents. Well that would be $9,000,000 for 05-06 and $10,000,000 for 06-07, and then $11,000,000 for 07-08. In the next 2 years they would have paid Rahim $24,600,000 less than the NJ players for next year and the year following, but would have taken on a 3rd year at $11,000,000. They would have would have spent the same amount spread over 3 years, and they would have got a better player in Rahim than anybody they got. That doesn't include the extra draft pick which would have been an additional salary to pay. Anyway you look at Toronto got less talent, and saved less than they would have if they had taken on Rahim.
In other words it was stupid for Toronto to do the deal.