The New Jersey Nets have traded Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson to the Orlando Magic for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee.

"Vince [Carter] gives us a veteran, go-to scoring presence, especially at the end of games," Magic general manager Otis Smith said in a statement. "Our goal remains the same -- to win a championship. Any time you can add an All-Star to help you reach your goals, you have to do it. Vince has been a bonafide scorer in this league for 11 seasons and we are excited to add both him and Ryan [Anderson] to our team. We thank Rafer, Tony and Courtney for their efforts and wish them success in the future."

Carter found out about the trade at his basketball camp, adding he thought it was a joke at first.

"Every player hopes for an opportunity like this, to just once compete for an NBA championship," Carter said. "This a dream come true for me. Now I have a chance to win a championship."

An eight-time NBA All-Star, Carter grew up in Daytona Beach and lives in Orlando.

The trade gives the Magic even more star power on their quest to win an NBA championship. The addition of Carter, 32, to a lineup that already consists of All-Star players Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson would make Orlando the favorite to win the Eastern Conference title next year if the franchise also finds a way to bring back Hedo Turkoglu, who already has notified the team that he is opting out of his contract this summer.

Orlando is hoping Carter will provide center Howard with a perimeter scorer who can create his own shot -- something the Magic lacked in losing the NBA Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers.