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Vince Carter Revoking Retirement Statement Due To Possible Raptors Comeback?
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 14 years. Carter, now 41 years-old (almost 42), is still playing and signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks this past summer.
Toronto fans also are no longer mad at him and see him as the franchise legend he deserves to be. The other day, Carter’s Hawks were playing in Toronto, and he received a lot of cheers and even a standing ovation.
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He previously said that this would be his last season in the NBA and that he’s planning to retire once the season has ended, making this his final game in Toronto. Or was it? After the game, Carter was heard talking to Raptors security personnel, telling them that he would “see them next year.”
While this could have been out of habit, he later doubled down on his cryptic message when asked by Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press:
Vince Carter, smiling, told he was overheard last night telling someone in Toronto he would see him next year. "Really? Well, I'll see you guys next year."
— Brian Mahoney (@briancmahoney) January 10, 2019
Is this him announcing he has changed his mind and would like to play for longer in the NBA? Does this possibly even hint a Raptors comeback? Last year Carter was asked about the rumors of a potential return to Toronto and 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”.
Will the Raptors try to convince Carter to come back home and play one last season with them, after his year with the Hawks? Or will he retire like Paul Pierce did in Boston; on a one day contract?
