TORONTO, Sept. 29 -- The Toronto Raptors finally made the long-rumored deal that will enable them to move star Vince Carter to the shooting guard spot Friday when they acquired small forward Corliss Williamson from the Sacramento Kings for guard Doug Christie.
The Raptors plan to start Williamson, 26, on the front line with power forward Charles Oakley and center Antonio Davis while switching Carter from small forward to the backcourt full-time. Last season, Carter started at small forward with free agent defection Tracy McGrady at the shooting guard spot.
The trade had been rumored since the Kings signed forward Predrag Stojakovic to a multi-year contract extension last month. Stojakovic's emergence made Williamson expendable in Sacramento, where the 6-7, 245-pounder averaged 10.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 76 games last season.
The Kings plan to have Christie, 30, compete with Nick Anderson for the starting shooting guard spot. The 6-6, 205-pounder was forced to start at point guard with Toronto last season since the Raptors had only Muggsy Bogues at the position. Christie averaged 12.4 points and 4.4 assists.
The Raptors signed free agent point guard Mark Jackson last month, clearing the way for them to deal Christie.
A first-round pick in 1995, Williamson spent the first five seasons of his NBA career with Sacramento and averaged 12.0 points and 4.1 rebounds in 337 games. He enjoyed his best campaign in 1997-98, when he averaged 17.7 points and 5.6 rebounds.
A 1992 first-round pick, Christie will be joining his fourth NBA team. He has averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 assists and 1.8 steals in 437 games. He spent two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and parts of two seasons with the New York Knicks before being traded to the Raptors during the 1995-96 campaign. He enjoyed his finest season in 1997-98, averaging 16.5 points and 2.44 steals per game.
