A quick news piece detailing 22-year NBA veteran Vince Carter returning to the Atlanta Hawks for the final season of his storied career.
Finally, the news broke that Atlanta Hawks fans had been hoping for since the offseason began: Vince Carter is reportedly returning to the Hawks for one final season in the NBA.
ESPN’s news-breaking maestro Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the news:
Free agent Vince Carter has agreed to a deal to return to the Atlanta Hawks, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 5, 2019
Details of the contract were not relayed, but one would expect this to be a veteran’s minimum deal for the 42-year-old NBA legend.
Last season, Carter was one of the most consistent bench performers on the Atlanta Hawks, and he even started in 9 games for the Hawks last year – his most since his age-35 season in 2011-12 with the Dallas Mavericks.
Vinsanity continues to plug along in his career, showcasing astonishing longevity for a player that is 20th all-time in minutes played in NBA history with 45,491 and 2nd among active players – behind only LeBron James.
Carter was angling to go a team where more playing time might be on offer, but even with an influx of new faces on the Atlanta Hawks – as outlined in our ongoing depth chart series – the team still had a need for a venerable veteran and a player that can capably play the three and four.
Even at age 42, Vince checks both boxes with aplomb, as he played 56 percent of his minutes at the four and 44 percent of his minutes at the three last year for the Hawks per Basketball Reference.
Beyond his on-court abilities, which are still remarkable considering his advanced NBA age, Carter’s presence in the locker room should continue to help aid the young players that were brought in this offseason. Lottery picks De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish and second round pick Bruno Fernando will surely respect a living legend in their locker room and learn from the way Vince carries himself with class and grace (unless you’re an official giving a call he doesn’t particularly agree with).
Seeing a living legend in an Atlanta Hawks uniform, no matter how far along in his career he is, was something special last season, and this writer is beyond elated that Vince will be back for one more season in Atlanta.
Vince eclipsed 25,000 points last season against his most well-known former team, and he is sure to etch his name in the record books this upcoming season for various age-related feats.
For the Atlanta Hawks, all of the good fortune and adulation that will be heaped upon Vince in his final season will take place in a Hawks uniform – which is sure to be good for the brand.
Keep it locked to Soaring Down South for plenty more Atlanta Hawks (and Vince Carter) coverage as we inch closer to the preseason.