The Nets , again looking to the future, got a good young player last night in Courtney Lee, but basically engineered a major salary dump in a five-player deal with the reigning Eastern champs. The Nets sent Carter, with $33.6 million guaranteed over the next two seasons, $37.6 over three, and last year's No. 21 pick, Ryan Anderson, to the Magic.

In return, the Nets received two Finals starters - Lee, a strong perimeter defender, and 10-season vet Rafer Alston out of Cardozo High, Bayside - plus veteran big man Tony Battie and two trade exceptions. Alston ($5.25 million), the third point guard the Nets sought, and Battie ($6.29 million) have contracts that expire after this season. So the deal gives the Nets more salary-cap flexibility for the coveted 2010 freeagent class - if they can find players who'll see the situation as appealing.

"This was not a salary dump," said team president Rod Thorn, noting the trade was discussed for several days before coming together yesterday afternoon. "If it were a salary dump, it would have been taking players you don't plan on keeping and don't get . . . young talent. It puts us in a great position salary-cap-wise.

"We think Courtney Lee is going to have a long career and he's going to be an outstanding two guard. We got two other veteran players we think will help," Thorn added. "I can't say enough good things about Vince. . . . I think everybody here is sad, but the reality is we have to do what's best for our franchise."

Carter is the second leading scorer in Nets history. He averaged 20.8 points per game last season while Lee, maybe now best known for missing the Game 2 Finals lay-up, scored 8.4 ppg as a rookie.

The 32-year-old, eight-time All-Star learned of the news while at a Basketball camp in, ironically, Orlando, his hometown. And he's excited about playing with All-Star center Dwight Howard.

"Someone handed me the phone to tell me. I was surprised, shocked. I thought at first it might be a joke," Carter told reporters in Florida. "I just want to fit in here, add to a team that's already great. Never had a dominating big man before. My job will be to make it easier for him, to make plays for him. Dwight [Howard is] an All-Star and becoming a superstar. Hopefully, I can help him. Every player hopes for an opportunity like this, to just once compete for an NBA championship."

Carter's departure makes Josh Boone, with three seasons, the longest tenured Net.

"I am obviously disappointed because Vince was one of my better friends on the team, as was Ryan," Boone said. "But that's the way that this business is."

Anderson, 6-10, started 30 of his 66 games and averaged 7.4 points and 4.7 rebounds.

So in 16 months, the Nets traded Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Carter. Jefferson was traded away on draft night a year ago to Milwaukee for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons.

"All those trades were made for different reasons," Thorn said. "This was a deal we feel helps us as we go forward. Maybe not today, but we think this is a deal that helps us. . . . Let's see how we play. I think we're going to be better than a lot of people think we are."

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Deal details

Nets get:

Rafer Alston, G Former city playground legend was dealt to Orlando midseason, taking over at the point and leading the Magic to the Finals.

Courtney Lee, G Rookie from Western Kentucky averaged 8.0 points in the playoffs, starting 16 of 21 games, but missed two lay-ups that could have won Game 2 of the Finals.

Tony Battie, C/F Ten-year vet averaged 4.8 points and 3.6 rebounds off the bench.

Magic get:

Vince Carter, SG Dynamic scorer averaged 23.5 points, 4.3 assists and 5.5 rebounds in 10th NBA season.

Ryan Anderson, F Rookie from Cal averaged 7.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.