Hawks' Trae Young opens up in reaction to Vince Carter's Hall of Fame message

Trae Young has always shown reverence for the history of the NBA and the legends that made it what it is today.

That respect came back from a former teammate who recently joined the hallowed ranks of the Hall of Fame. And while his tenure in Atlanta did not last long, it was undoubtedly impactful for all parties.

Newly-minted Hall of Famer Vince Carter thanked Young and others.

Carter, 41 years old when he signed with the Hawks in 2018, spent two seasons with the Hawks and extended his gratitude to the youngsters for allowing him to “be their vet.”

“I almost cried,” Young told atlhawksfans’ Jameelah Johnson on October 14. “It was an unreal feeling just watching Vince getting inducted into the Hall of Fame. I hate I couldn't be there. I know he had a lot of teammates. I remember him saying he had 261 teammates that he played with over his career, and I'm just fortunate enough to be one of them.

“Even when I'm 40, 50 years old, I'm going tell people I gave Vince his last bucket. And just – that assist, that's one of my most memorable assists that I've ever had. So to see Vince and his family there for him to be inducted – it was a no-brainer it was going to happen eventually. But you still get that – chills from just watching him and just from knowing him. He deserved everything that he got and it was good to see him.”

Young had expressed similar joy about Carter’s nomination. A veteran of eight NBA franchises, Carter made the Hawks his final stop. He showered thanks on Young, several former teammates, and the organization for welcoming him.

Vince Carter thanks Hawks, former teammates in Hall of Fame speech

“To the Atlanta Hawks: Mr. Tony Ressler, LP – Lloyd Pierce, thank you for the opportunity, bringing in a 41-year-old and believing in him. Giving me that opportunity to still play the game because all I wanted to do was play basketball. I wanted to win a championship like a lot of you guys. I didn't get that opportunity. But at the same time, I wanted to show a 41-year-old, a 42-year-old, and a 43-year-old can still compete with the young bucks.

To my teammates – Trae, John Collins, Kent Bazemore, Kevin Huerter, and all my young guys I had during those times – thank you guys thanks for allowing me to be your vet.”

Carter missed the Hawks’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals by one season. Carter had only one other playoff run as deep as that in his career, which came during the 2009-2010 postseason while he was with the Orlando Magic.