NBA Rumors: Vince Carter open to signing with Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers took a huge step forward in the 2013-2014 season.

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The Trail Blazers, who at one time looked like they would to trade star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, went 54-28, returned to the playoffs and upset the Houston Rockets in the first round of the postseason.

Now the Blazers will be looking to add complimentary pieces to Aldridge and point guard Damian Lillard.

When Lillard was asked about players the Trail Blazers should pursue, he responded “Channing Frye, Vince Carter, Spencer Hawes, Trevor Ariza,” according to Chris Haynes of CSN Northwest.

Haynes reports, via “someone close” to Carter the feeling is mutual and Carter is “open” to playing for the Trail Blazers. He does, however, point out that “Dallas is the clear frontrunner, but his mind is nowhere near made up.”

Carter was originally drafted with the fifth-overall pick in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, His rights were traded to the Toronto Raptors in a deal that sent his former North Carolina Tar Heel teammate, forward Antwan Jamison, to the Warriors. Carter has also played for the Brooklyn (New Jersey) Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns and has spent the last three seasons with the Mavericks. Over the course of his 16-year career, Carter has averaged 20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 44.2% from the field, 37.8% from beyond the arc and 79.9% from the free throw line.

Carter averaged 11.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 40.7% from the floor, 39.4% from three and 82.1% from the free throw line last season.

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