Photo Credit: Jed Jacobsohnn/Getty Images
Vince Carter Believes He’ll Be Returning To Raptors
In the 1998 NBA Draft, Vince Carter was initially drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the fifth overall pick. But he was traded to the Toronto Raptors for the fourth overall pick, Antawn Jamison, on draft night – the beginning of a new era in ‘The 6ix’.
Highlight-reel dunks, game winners, well actually wins in general, a fabulous one-two punch with his cousin Tracy McGrady and NBA playoffs. Vince Carter was the man in Toronto between 1998 and 2004. After not making the playoffs in the 2003-04 season, General Manager Glen Grunwald and the entire coaching staff were fired during the summer, which made Carter angry and frustrated with the Raptors’ front office. Eventually, Carter asked for a trade, and on December 18, 2004, the Raptors traded Carter to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two first-round draft picks.
Toronto fans felt that Carter betrayed them and were mad. Carter jerseys were burned, and new merchandise like ‘FUVC’ and ‘Wince Carter’ shirts went on sale. In his first game back (and in games for years to come) in Toronto, on April 15, 2005, Carter was heavily booed Raptors fans.
Fast forward 13 years. Carter, now 40 years-old, is still playing and signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Sacramento Kings this past summer. Toronto fans are no longer mad at him and see him as the franchise legend he deserves to be. Yesterday, Carter’s Kings were playing in Toronto and he was starting. At 40 years old, many think that this could have been his final game in Toronto. Carter received a lot of cheers and even a standing ovation last night.
Proper applause for the Vintroduction pic.twitter.com/84dC6CE7KI
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) December 17, 2017
https://www.facebook.com/thebuzz.nba/videos/1640476229393147/
After the game, Carter was asked about the rumors over the summer of a potential return to Toronto. Carter said that a reunion will happen someday.
“Of course, I heard about it. It didn’t happen, I guess. It’s just one of those things, it’ll happen for sure. Somehow, whether it’s a one day or something, it’ll happen. It’s supposed to happen, I think, I can say that now. I’ve had a lot of people say it’s supposed to happen, so now I guess I have to believe.”
The question was reffering to the night a documentary about Vince Carter named The Carter Effect, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. At the event, Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri said that the Raptors tried to bring Carter back this year, and that the 40-year-old “will be home in Toronto”.
Masai Ujiri says 'Vince Carter will be home in Toronto' … not sure what that means — jersey retirement when time comes?
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) September 9, 2017
He did not explain what he exactly meant by this statement, but rumors started to spread. Will Carter get his jersey retired in Toronto? Will the Raptors try to convince Carter to come back home and play one last season with them, after his year with the Kings? Or will he retire like Paul Pierce did in Boston; on a one day contract? We will find out someday.
