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Atlanta Hawks Offseason Grades: Signing NBA Legend Vince Carter

By Chris Guest

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 3: Vince Carter #15 of the Sacramento Kings is seen before the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 3, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 3: Vince Carter #15 of the Sacramento Kings is seen before the game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 3, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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As part of our offseason coverage, Soaring Down South is ranking each and every offseason transaction the Atlanta Hawks made.

After a slow start, the Atlanta Hawks kicked it into high gear and had one of the most action-packed and interesting offseasons in recent memory. Multiple trades and signings took place even after the NBA Draft, which was even more important for the Hawks in the long-term.

In our ongoing series of offseason reviews, it’s time to grade each move the Hawks made this offseason from draft picks to trades to free agency deals.

Next up is the signing of venerable NBA veteran Vince Carter, who the Atlanta Hawks signed to a veteran’s minimum deal in late July.

Atlanta Hawks Vince Carter
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 14: Vince Carter, Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

THE GRADE: A

This was truly terrific news for Atlanta Hawks fans on all fronts. While adding wing depth is certainly important in today’s NBA, this move is a move to improve the Hawks’ national profile and recapture the fan base, while also providing the young Hawks with a player who has seen it all in his storied and fascinating career.

Carter, who will remarkably turn 42 during the 2018-19 season, is a first-ballot Hall of Famer at this point, as his career has seen him as the league’s best dunkers (and one of the best dunkers in basketball history) to team-leading scorer and proven leader, to steady, contributing veteran in the latter portion of his career.

Related Story. 3 Reasons The Vince Carter Signing Was Great. light

VC should be able to mentor all of the members of the Atlanta Hawks young core, as he can impart all of the wisdom he has accrued through 20 seasons in the NBA.

Carter’s presence should also be a boon for fans of the Hawks, as hopefully people will want to see Carter in a Hawks uniform before he (most likely) retires at season’s end.

Beyond his off-court contributions, Carter can still provide solid value on the court. Not only can he still get up for beautiful dunks with regularity, but his steadying veteran presence should help keep the young guns from running too wildly throughout the course of a game.

While we’ve already outlined the myriad reasons we love this move, nabbing Carter on a team that’s expected to dwell in the NBA’s basement next season is a coup for the Atlanta Hawks front office – and a move they should be commended for.

Next. Atlanta Hawks Full Schedule Breakdown. dark

Stay tuned for the next story in our offseason grades series, and always keep it locked to Soaring Down South for all your Atlanta Hawks news.

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