Press Release - New Jersey Nets guard/forward Vince Carter has exercised the option to forgo the final year of his contract, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. “We fully expected Vince to exercise his option,” said Thorn. “We have stated publicly that we would like to bring him back, and will now work towards that goal.” http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/46826/20070630/carter_opts_out_of_his_contract/
I dont understand why the bobcats, who desperately wanted a veteran shooting gaurd, traded for j-rich instead of trying to sign carter. they could have had brandon wright and vince carter but instead got j-rich...makes no sense.
Yeah, I'm sure Carter is just itching to sign with an expansion team with no shot of winning the NBA title...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2922561 Vince Carter apparently is keeping Vinsanity in New Jersey. The Newark Star Ledger is reporting that Carter, who opted out of the final year of his contract which called for a $16.3 million salary next season, has agreed to a four-year, $61.8 million contract with the Nets. The contract with the team holds an option for a fifth year. The deal will not be official until July 11 when free-agent deals can be signed. Well, that didn't take long. They probably had the contract agreed upon before he opted out. When you think about it, this is a pretty good deal on New Jersey's part. When you factor in 12.5% raises, The Nets will actually be paying Carter less next year than what they were originally scheduled to pay him. Plus, since they probably would have had to sign him for four years anyways if he hadn't opted out, they will end up paying him for fewer years. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if it was New Jersey's idea for him to opt out.
I've always enjoyed watching Vince Carter's game. But as recent history shows, they'll probably end up paying him for ACL surgery or to sit on the bench injured at some point. I would imagine they would have prefered for him to stick to his shorter contract to see if he stayed healthy next year and extend him at the end of the year if healthy, but you're right that someone would have offered him 4 years and then they would have ended up in a bidding war spending more on him. He probably told them to extend him before the new season or he would definantly explore free agencey, forcing their hand.
