Mentorship
The value of signing Vince Carter in NBA Free-Agency is not limited to what fans will see on the court before their very eyes. Perhaps the biggest contribution he can make today — at the current age of 42 — would take place in pratice and film sessions.
During his time with the Memphis Grizzlies, Carter was not just a veteran locker room presence that offered a lot of veteran leadership. It was more than that, even on a squad which had plenty of experienced veterans leading the way.
Vince took in former Grizzly Deyonta Davis during his rookie year like it was one of his own kids. He mentored him. Carter wanted to see Davis excel in the league, even though Deyonta did not play the same position as the hoops legend. The same influence was made one youngsters Wade Baldwin IV and Troy Daniels earlier this decade during Vince’s Grizzly tenure.
Though those are some lesser-known names, imagine what Vince Carter could do for Jevon Carter, Jaren Jackson Jr., and the Memphis Grizzlies’ impending No. 2 overall NBA Draft selection. This could be a major boost for the team’s youth, and especially for a team that struggles so much with player development, signing Carter again could be a form of hitting the lottery.
One example of this was recently discussed between Vince Carter and Jaren Jackson Jr. on live television on ESPN. This would be the cream of the crop for Jackson Jr. his teammates to consult with a long-time veteran to “ask questions” and to take in stories of different in-game situations Carter has been a part of within his to-be 22 total seasons.
Additionally, “Vinsanity” also brings Olympic experiences, playoff appearances, endorsement deals, and more in which he has endured in his 42 years. He has so much to share and teach that it would be a lot of bang per buck for the Memphis Grizzlies if they were able to persuade him to return to the 901.