Kurt Thomas was nearly traded last summer for Erick Dampier. Now Isiah Thomas may be trying to push Houston out. Thomas' obsession with Vince Carter and his desire to remove Houston's contract from the Knicks' payroll has generated plenty of talk between the Raptors and Knicks but little movement.

According to sources, Thomas has spoken to the Raptors about a Houston-for-Carter deal that would also include Jalen Rose, Tim Thomas and Jerome Williams, a former Raptors fan favorite.

Thomas believes he found Houston's successor when he acquired Jamal Crawford in a sign-and-trade and could view Houston as standing in the way of progress. Houston's presence will cut into Crawford's and Stephon Marbury's minutes.