You’d think Vince Carter doesn’t need the money or the aggravation. Not counting his myriad paychecks from endorsements, he has earned an estimated $167 million since the Raptors drafted him fifth overall in 1998. Through 20 years of toiling in the National Basketball Association, he has filled a resume that makes him a surefire Hall of Famer. On paper, there’s no longer any reason for him to keep burning rubber. And yet he’s still plugging along, apparently intent on subjecting his body to the rigors of at least another season.
Considering Carter’s perspective, you can’t help but conclude that he loves to play, and that he loves to be a mentor even more. He just came off a campaign in which he normed 17 minutes over 58 games for the dysfunctional Kings, and even that didn’t dissuade him from shedding his candidacy for the rocking chair one more time. Yesterday, news broke that he would be signing with the lowly Hawks for the veterans minimum, as clear an indication as any that he’s not chasing rings or aiming to improve his financial standing.
For perhaps anybody else at Carter’s age and bearing his credentials, the stint would be an exercise in masochism. For him, though, it’s a celebration of his commitment to his craft. “If I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t have the desire to put the work in that I have to put in each and every day,” he told the Charlotte Observer earlier this year. “The day I don’t want to prepare for the season, prepare for a game, is the day I’ll walk away — and I’m still willing to do it.”
Indeed, the commitment has enabled Carter to join Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kevin Garnett, and fellow 1998 classman Dirk Nowitzki as the only players to log 21 seasons in the NBA. In late January, he’ll be one of just a handful to see action at 42. And though his aggregate wage for the 2018-2019 season doesn’t compare to the $8 million he received from the Kings, it catapults him to the Top 20 in the list of the league’s highest-paid names of all time.
That said, Carter’s motivation stems most from his desire to stay relevant in, and give back to, the sport. In this regard, you’d do well to note that when he was drafted 20 years ago, Hawks teammate Trae Young was three months away from being born. And, no doubt, his vast experience is what led to his employment; he figures to be most crucial off the court, acting as counselor to teammates and making an imprint as they aim to make the same impact he did.
Will the coming season be Carter’s last? Only time will tell. As far as he’s concerned, however, he’ll stop when he can no longer lace them up. As he has been wont to do in recent memory, he’ll start the 2018-2019 campaign by saying he’ll be done after two years. Retirement is calling out, but he’s not listening — yet.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994.
