HOUSTON — Vince Carter practiced at the Toyota Center on Monday. He may be calling this building home later in the week.

The Nets and Rockets have exchanged trade proposals and continue to talk, according to league sources and sources close to the Nets. One scenario has Carter and Josh Boone going to Houston for Ron Artest, Carl Landry and Luther Head.

But another Texas team remains very much alive in the Carter sweepstakes. The San Antonio Spurs' package for Carter would include Roger Mason Jr., George Hill and Bruce Bowen, the sources said. The Nets would have to make other moves to clear roster room for the additional players they take back.

Nothing is imminent at this point, but the trade deadline is Thursday. Things are expected to heat up before then.

"It's one of those things you can't control," Carter said. "They know how I feel about being here, how I'm happy here, the whole nine (yards).

"If it happens it happens. I do my job regardless."

Carter, who could play one of his last games as a Net here Tuesday night, was the subject of numerous trade rumors over All-Star Weekend. The three Texas teams and Cleveland have shown the most interest in the Nets' best player.

General manager Kiki Vandeweghe has spoken to Carter about what's happening, an indication that something could transpire. The Nets share the same affinity for Carter as he does for them. They don't want to trade him, but if they do, it likely would be for economic reasons first.

The Nets are losing millions and Carter is guaranteed $33.6 million for the next two seasons with a $4.5 million partial guarantee for 2010-11.

Artest is in the final year of his contract. Landry, a tough second-year power forward, makes $3 million next year and has a team option for the 2010-11 season. Head, a fourth-year point guard, can be a free agent after this season.

It makes sense for the Rockets. They need another scorer with Tracy McGrady battling a knee injury. Taking Artest could be risky for the Nets because of his checkered past. But the mercurial forward wants to show he's worthy of a big payday, so he could play hard and be on his best behavior.

The Nets, who are in Dallas on Wednesday, also have spoken to the Mavericks. The Nets probably don't want to help the Mavericks, though. New Jersey owns Dallas' first-round pick in 2010 from the Jason Kidd trade and wouldn't want to lessen its value.