Dolan Reveals Botched Carter Trade That Changed NBA
New York Knicks owner James Dolan has disclosed how a faulty medical assessment prevented Vince Carter from donning the orange and blue at the height of his career, potentially altering the trajectory of two franchises. During an appearance on “The Roommates Podcast” hosted by current Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, Dolan shared details of the scrapped trade that sent Carter to the rival New Jersey Nets instead.
“Vince Carter was a great example,” Dolan explained when asked about his biggest trade regret. “We were going to do the trade and the medical team came back and told us that he had a 90% severed Achilles tendon and that it would never hold up and once it ruptured he would never be the same player. For that reason, we didn’t do the trade,” according to ClutchPoints.
Medical Assessment Proved Dramatically Wrong
The trade would have brought Carter to Madison Square Garden during the 2004-05 season as he was forcing his way out of Toronto. Instead, the Raptors dealt the high-flying star to the Nets, where he thrived, averaging 23.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game in his first season in New Jersey.
What makes the story particularly striking is how dramatically wrong the medical assessment proved to be. Not only did Carter’s supposedly compromised Achilles tendon hold up, but the eight-time All-Star went on to play an additional 16 seasons after the trade, setting an NBA record with a 22-year career before his retirement and subsequent Hall of Fame induction.
“Vince Carter went on to have 5, 6, 7 years of, I kept waiting for his Achilles tendon to break, and it never broke,” Dolan admitted with a hint of lingering regret. The failed acquisition represents a significant “what if” moment for a Knicks franchise that struggled throughout much of the 2000s, while Carter continued his stellar career just across the Hudson River.
James Dolan faces lifelong regret as Vince Carter dominates after Knicks pass on him due to medical concerns leaving fans to wonder what could have been https://t.co/oN4FbBo8eK
— M Sports (@MotorcycleSp) March 15, 2025
Cross-Town Success Added to Frustration
The sting of missing out on Carter was likely intensified by his immediate success with the rival Nets. Following the trade, Carter made four consecutive All-Star teams and helped the Nets remain competitive in the Eastern Conference, according to Sports Illustrated.
“The close call had to hurt extra with Carter lighting it up in the same market. Especially as the Knicks were in the middle of a decade to forget,” SI noted. Carter’s high-flying dunks and scoring prowess would have been tailor-made for the Madison Square Garden spotlight during a period when the Knicks desperately needed star power.
Meanwhile, the Knicks cycled through a series of unsuccessful roster constructions, coaches, and front office executives during this period, never quite recapturing the success they had enjoyed in the 1990s. A Carter acquisition might have significantly altered this trajectory.
James Dolan plans to keep the Knicks and Rangers in the family.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 15, 2025
"My hope is that my kids grow up and take my place, just like I did with my dad."
Quentin Dolan is currently SVP of player performance at MSG Sports.
Current Knicks Success Eases Old Wounds
Dolan’s willingness to discuss past mistakes comes at a time when the Knicks are experiencing a resurgence. The team currently holds the third position in the Eastern Conference with a 42-23 record, trailing only the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The current iteration of the Knicks has been built around homegrown talent and strategic additions rather than the splashy superstar acquisitions that characterized many of Dolan’s earlier attempts to build a contender. Brunson, who conducted the interview with Dolan, has emerged as the face of this new approach, leading the team with consistent play and leadership.
Since the All-Star break, the Knicks have posted a 6-5 record while averaging 111 points per game on 45.5% shooting from the field. The team is currently riding a two-game winning streak after victories over the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers as they prepare to face the Golden State Warriors on March 15.
Medical Evaluations Remain Critical in NBA Trades
Dolan’s revelation highlights the critical role medical evaluations play in NBA trade decisions. While the Knicks’ medical team was dramatically off in their assessment of Carter’s durability, such evaluations remain standard practice in the league and have voided numerous potential trades over the years.
The anecdote serves as a reminder of how single decisions—often made with incomplete information—can dramatically alter the course of NBA franchises. For Knicks fans who endured years of mediocrity while watching Carter excel across town, this revelation may reopen old wounds, even as the current team’s success offers new hope.
“Imagine if Madison Square Garden saw Vinsanity before there was Linsanity,” Sports Illustrated mused, referencing the brief but electrifying Jeremy Lin era that would come years later, long after the Carter opportunity had passed.
