NBA Rumors: Dallas Mavericks want to re-sign Vince Carter

Veteran guard Vince Carter has made his desire to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks well-known, telling reporters he “thinks he’s earned the right to stick around.”

Apparently, the feeling is mutual.

“The feeling is absolutely mutual,” president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson told Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News Tuesday. “When you’ve got that kind of veteran leadership, we’re a better team. It’s better for the younger guys. Those are the kind of guys you want in that locker room carrying that baton and eventually passing it along.”

Nelson heaped praise on Carter, praising his versatility and explaining that he is “one of those rare guys that just has gotten better with time” and “he’s a leader on the floor.”

Carter is 37 years old and the Mavericks are his fifth team. He appears to have found a home where he is happy and likely would like to spend his last two seasons (Carter recently said he would like to play two more seasons) in Dallas.

This season, Carter is averaging 12.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.