NBA Rumors: Vince Carter to return to Toronto Raptors?

By Andrew Melnick | Jun 4, 2014

Jan 22, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Dallas Mavericks guard-forward Vince Carter (25) carries the ball as Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defend at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Dallas 93-85. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Toronto Raptors had an extremely successful 2013-2014 season. They went 48-34, won the Atlantic Division and returned to the postseason for the first time since Chris Bosh left for the Miami Heat. Although the Raptors were defeated by the Brooklyn Nets in seven games on a last second block of a Kyle Lowry shot attempt by Paul Pierce, there is a lot to build on.

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Of course, if the Raptors don’t re-sign Lowry, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, they could take a giant step back.

That’s why Bill Ingram of Basketball Insiders believes keeping Lowry is priority number one. He also believes the Raptors should add a veteran presence and thinks a reunion with Dallas Mavericks’ guard Vince Carter would help both sides.

"Thanks for stopping in! It all starts with Kyle Lowry. Keeping him in town is priority number one, and thankfully he very much wants to be back. Obviously there are questions to answer at the 2 and at power forward, but I think I would get an audience with Vince Carter. Reuniting Vince with the team would give the Raptors outstanding veteran leadership off the bench, but also give them an impact player who is still instrumental in hanging W’s on the scoreboard."

Carter, the fifth-overall pick of the 1998 NBA Draft was originally acquired by the Raptors in a trade (for his former North Carolina Tar Heels’ teammate Antawn Jamison). He spent the first six years of his career there and was traded to the New Jersey (Brooklyn) Nets during the 2004-2005 season, his seventh in the league. Carter went to play for the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns before joining the Mavericks.

Carter averaged 11.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game last season.