TORONTO (CP) - Vince Carter finally talked, but had little to say.
The high-flying Raptors star was back in Toronto on Monday, but did little to dispel reports he's unhappy here and wants out. Nor would he confirm he wants to stay.
Carter insisted the reports of his discontent didn't come from him.
``It wasn't me, I didn't say a word, I haven't said a word,'' Carter said at his youth basketball camp. ``I'm not saying nothing, I'm just going to worry about this camp right now.
``I'm not into bashing, or into `he said this,' or I'm supposed to say this. I'm not going to get into it right now.''
Does he want to come back?
``I'm not going to get into it right now,'' Carter answered.
The reported unhappiness has been said to stem from Carter's belief he's been left out of the Raptors' off-season revamping of its front office and coaching staff.
Raptors rookie GM Rob Babcock has said numerous times Carter is in the team's plans, and is trying to set a meeting with Carter for sometime over t[he next few days.
``I hope so, but I don't have anything set as of yet,'' said Babcock.
The GM didn't want to comment on Carter's lack of endorsement for Toronto.
``The only thing I really worry about is what I hear from Vince, the third-party things, there's too much lost in translation. The only thing I'm really concerned with is direct contact with him,'' Babcock said.
Carter was in good spirits Monday talking to a small group of reporters outside the high school gym housing his camp. It marked the first time the four-time NBA all-star had spoken to the Toronto media since the Raptors' season ended in mid-April.
People have had plenty to say in his absence. One story - quoting local businessman Nav Bhatia, a prominent Raptors fan and guest at Carter's wedding - claimed Carter wouldn't return to the Raptors unless Richard Peddie, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd., consultant Jack McCloskey, and director of player personnel Jim Kelley, were all fired.
Carter's silence had only fuelled reports he wanted out of Toronto, but he does plan to clear the air soon.
``In due time. I'm definitely going to fill everybody in when it's time,'' said Carter, who will host his annual charity all-star game July 30th at the Air Canada Centre. ``I have nothing to say right now, but I promise in due time.''
Dallas and New York have been raised as possible destinations for Carter, with recent reports claiming he wished to be traded to an Eastern Conference team.
Carter heard plenty of trade scuttlebutt while on his week-long honeymoon in Maui - he married college sweetheart Ellen Rucker in Palm Beach, Fla., on July 3.
``People were calling me saying `did you hear this, did you hear that?''' said Carter.
The Raptors star insisted his current status with the team isn't weighing too heavily on him. For support, he talks often to the people closest to him - his wife Ellen, mother Michelle, agent Mark Steinberg of IMG, and his friends.
``I've talked to everybody about it, for comfort in their mind so they know what's going on. Not really in depth, because I can only tell them what I know, and there's not much right now,'' said Carter. ``There's a time and place for it, and I've had other things to worry about.''
Even if Carter wants a trade, it's easier said than done, with the NBA's stringent trade rules and his annual salary of $12.5 million US.
