Return of Vince Carter Puts Atlanta Hawks in Playoff Range
Vince Carter Will Provide Productive Depth
Vince Carter offers more to the Atlanta Hawks than just attention and mentorship. He also is a player who is still capable of providing solid production.
Vince averaged 7.4 points and 2.6 rebounds, playing a reserve role as a combo forward last season. When his numbers are broken down on a per 36 minute basis, Carter averaged 15.4 points. That is his highest total by that metric, since the 2013-14 NBA season.
Vince Carter also grabbed 5.3 rebounds per 36 minutes last season. That has his best production on the boards since the 2012-13 campaign, proving that Vince still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
With the additions of combo forwards De’Andre Hunter and Jabari Parker, there may not be a ton of minutes available for Vince Carter to play this upcoming season. The team surrendered multiple draft picks to acquire Hunter.
The Hawks also made a significant two-year investment in Jabari Parker, who has been a 20 point scorer in the not too distant past. Both men are expected to fill larger roles than Vince Carter in the Atlanta Hawks rotation.
The Atlanta Hawks did fill a huge role by retaining Vince Carter regardless. Without bringing back the soon to be 22 year veteran Carter, Evan Turner was set to be the Atlanta Hawks elder statesman heading into his tenth season.
Chandler Parsons heading into year nine, along with Allen Crabbe and Alex Len beginning their seventh seasons, are the next most veteran players, on the club that features nine players with five years or less of NBA experience. Those men are fine veterans, but they do not carry the cache of Vince Carter.
By resigning Vince Carter, the Atlanta Hawks have all the elements needed, to be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference. The team is stacked with versatile players that can play multiple positions.
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Vince Carter is the final piece, that should make the Atlanta Hawks dreams of returning to the playoffs a reality. Getting good play from the center position, will be a big key in the team’s success next season as well.
If Trae Young, John Collins and Kevin Huerter take the next steps in their development, Vince Carter’s playoff experience could be needed to not only make the playoffs, but to help the team advance past round one. Buckle up for a fun ride Atlanta Hawks fans.