After being shipped north from New Jersey in the Vince Carter swap last season, Eric Williams watched his game and his minutes go south with the the Raptors and continually expressed his unhappiness and his desire to be traded.

It seems, however, that Williams has had a change of heart. Raptors general manager Rob Babcock said yesterday he had a positive and constructive talk with the hard-nosed forward over the summer and, in a surprising development, added that Williams wouldn't mind remaining with the Raptors, who are embarking on a youth kick.

"It was a tough situation for him," Babcock said of the trade.

"But what he told me (this summer) was that after finishing off the season (with the Raptors) and getting to know the young guys and getting to understand what we're trying to do, he really liked the direction this team is going and thinks he can be a positive part of that.

"He said 'I know I asked to be traded, and I could be traded at any time and if it happens, it happens, but I'm completely positive about returning here and helping this team get back into the playoffs,' " the GM said.