(December 17, 2004) -- The Toronto Raptors announced Friday they have acquired forward Eric Williams, forward/centre Aaron Williams and centre Alonzo Mourning, along with two first-round draft picks from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Vince Carter. To complete the transaction, the Raptors have waived centre Jerome Moiso and placed centre Rafael Araujo (lower back spasms) and forward/centre Pape Sow (left knee, tendinitis) on the injured list. The trade is contingent upon exchanged players passing physicals.

Toronto receives the 2005 first-round pick originally belonging to Philadelphia. The pick is protected in the draft’s first eight positions in 2005, first five positions in 2006 and is unprotected in 2007. Toronto also receives the 2006 first-round pick originally belonging to Denver. That pick is protected in the first five positions in 2006, first two positions in 2007 and is unprotected in 2008.

“This trade accomplishes a number of things that will help us now and in the future,” expressed Raptors General Manager Rob Babcock. “In Aaron and Eric Williams we are acquiring two character players who are tough, defensive-minded players. They will improve our defense and rebounding, and they fit the philosophy that we’re establishing in Toronto.

“The first round picks set us up well for the future. This trade gives us some financial flexibility now and in the future.

“The third aspect of this trade is Alonzo Mourning. We understood going into this trade the health ramifications pertaining to Alonzo. We made the trade knowing that his health is such that he may never play for us. If he gets healthy, we’d welcome him playing for us. This is a good trade for us without Alonzo, but it would be an added bonus should his health permit him to play.”

Eric Williams is in his 10th NBA season. The 6-foot-8, 220-pound Williams is averaging 12.6 points, second on the Nets, 4.5 rebounds and 35.2 minutes in 21 games. He scored a season-best 22 points November 30 versus Charlotte and has grabbed a season-high eight rebounds twice.

Carter's tenure in Toronto is officially over. (NBAE/Getty Images) size>

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Williams was selected in the first round, 14th overall, by Boston in 1995. The Providence grad has played for four NBA teams including Boston, Denver, Cleveland and New Jersey. He owns career averages of 9.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 25.5 minutes in 575 games. His career high in scoring came March 29, 1996 when he netted 31 points at Philadelphia as a member of the Boston Celtics.

Aaron Williams, 6-foot-9, 235 pounds, is in his 11th NBA season. He is averaging 1.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 7.9 minutes in 19 games.

The Xavier grad has appeared in 576 career games, averaging 6.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 18.0 minutes. In 53 playoff contests, Williams has averaged 5.6 points and 3.4 rebounds. He has played for Utah, Milwaukee, Denver, Vancouver, Seattle, Washington and New Jersey. Williams was signed as an undrafted free agent by Utah on November 29, 1993.

A seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Mourning, 6-foot-10, 261 pounds, is in his 13th season in the NBA. He is averaging 10.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.28 blocks and 25.4 minutes this season.

Selected second overall in the 1992 Draft by the Charlotte Hornets, Mourning owns a career average of 19.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.96 blocks in 652 games. He has played in 55 playoff contests, averaging 19.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.82 blocks.

Carter has averaged 15.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.25 steals and 30.4 minutes in 20 games this season. He was placed on the injured list December 10 with a strained left Achilles tendon and has missed the past three games. Carter is the Raptors’ all-time leader in scoring, three-pointers and attempts, free throws and attempts, blocks and minutes. In 403 career games, 401 starts, Carter has averaged 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.33 steals and 37.5 minutes. In 15 playoff contests, he has averaged 25.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

Carter was a first-round choice, fifth overall, by Golden State and was traded on Draft Day (June 24, 1998) with cash to Toronto for the draft rights to Antawn Jamison. On August 3, 2001, Carter signed a six-year contract extension with the Raptors.

Moiso has averaged 1.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 8.6 minutes in eight games this season, while recording 11 DNP-CDs. In 43 games with Toronto, Moiso averaged 2.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 11.3 minutes. During his five-year NBA career, he has played with Boston, Charlotte, New Orleans and the Raptors. He owns career averages of 2.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 10.1 minutes in 133 contests. Moiso was signed as a free agent by Toronto on July 16, 2003.