TORONTO -- Vince Carter could return to the struggling Toronto Raptors as early as Friday after missing 15 games with a strained right knee.

Carter practiced Wednesday for the first time since injuring his knee Dec. 10. He must be cleared by team doctors before playing again.

"I'm ready to go,'' Carter said. "It's not my decision. Whenever they say it, I'll be ready.''

The Raptors are 8-27 and have lost 11 straight and 17 of 19. They host the New Jersey Nets on Friday night.

"I would love to play,'' Carter said. "I'm not saying I'm 100 percent. I'm back on the court and that's a first step. Just because I stepped on the court today doesn't mean I'm 100 percent, but I think I can contribute to this team.''

The All-Star guard has averaged 19.2 points in just 10 games. He missed 10 games earlier this season with a chronically injured left knee.

Toronto coach Lenny Wilkens said Carter will practice again Thursday before a decision is made.

Wilkens reiterated Wednesday that injuries have been the team's biggest stumbling block. Antonio Davis, Lamond Murray, Voshon Lenard, Eric Montross, Michael Bradley and Lindsey Hunter also have been sidelined.

"It's been frustrating, but to people who know basketball it's very obvious that when you have that many people out, the team never has a chance to develop a rhythm,'' Wilkens said. "Give us a chance to be together and see what we can do and then maybe we need to make a decision.''

Davis said the Raptors aren't respected.

"My No. 1 thing is that this organization is respected on and off the floor, and if we are losing that respect, then something needs to be done,'' Davis said.

"We're not respected at all. I wouldn't respect a team like this.''