Longtime Nets fans might know a thing or two about Vince Carter. From watching his highlight dunks to his clutch three-pointers, Carter left New Jersey fans with a lot to remember from his time playing for the franchise.
Vince Carter was selected fifth overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 1998 NBA Draft but was immediately traded to the Toronto Raptors for Antwan Jamison. Carter was an instant fan-favorite for the Raptors, averaging 18.3 points per game and winning the Rookie of the Year award. Through his seven seasons with Toronto, Carter averaged 23.4 points. In December 2004, the Raptors pulled off a blockbuster trade, sending Carter to the New Jersey Nets for Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams, and two first-round picks.
Carter struggled in his final 20 games with Toronto during the 2004-05 season, only averaging 15.9 points per game. He averaged 27.5 points per game for the remainder of the season with the Nets. Despite getting swept in the first round by the Miami Heat, optimism was high on the Nets for their star point guard, Jason Kidd, to complement Carter's scoring ability.
During the 2005-06 NBA season, Kidd and Carter became a dangerous duo in the Eastern Conference, leading their team to a 49-33 record. Carter tied his career high with an astounding 51-point performance in a 95-88 win over the Heat in December 2005:
Carter and the number one team in the Atlantic Division were hungry for some playoff success after getting swept the previous season.
The Nets dominated the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2006 Playoffs, closing out the series in six games. Carter led the way for New Jersey, averaging 29.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. Despite Kidd struggling that round, he averaged a very impressive 10.2 assists per game.
In the following series, the Nets lost to the Heat again, not making it past five games. Carter went head-to-head with Dwayne Wade, the soon-to-be NBA Finals MVP of the season, averaging 30.2 points per game to match up with Wade's 27.6-point scoring mark.
During the 2007-08 season, the Nets had a down year, missing the playoffs with a record of 34-48. Carter averaged 21.3 points per game but missed the NBA All-Star Game after two consecutive appearances. After another 34-48 season, Carter and the Nets parted ways.
Carter went on to play with the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and concluded his career with the Atlanta Hawks. While Carter never won an NBA championship, he had a very successful career. Throughout Carter's 22-year-long run, he averaged 16.7 points per game and won Rookie of the Year along with making eight All-Star Game appearances. He won the NBA Dunk Contest in 2000 with one of the most iconic performances in All-Star Weekend history:
*-February 12, 2000-*
— •UP•NORTH•TRIPS• (@evboogie) February 12, 2022
Vince Carter put on a show in one of the greatest Slam Dunk Contest performances ever.pic.twitter.com/kaHjb7QAE7
After all his accomplishments, Carter was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024.
Carter may have never brought a championship back home to New Jersey, but he will forever be cemented in Nets history. In May 2024, the Nets announced that Carter would get his No. 15 jersey retired during the 2024-25 season.