Vince Carter is staying with the New Jersey Nets.
“Carter, who played the entire season for only the second time in his career, averaged 25 points and 6 boards last season. But still, $80 million for a 30-year old guard who can’t be relied upon at crunch time, and has a paralyzing fear of attacking the lane? I love this game!” writes Marcel Mutoni of the AOL Sports Fan House.
The New Jersey Nets signed a deal with guard Vince Carter on Friday that will keep the eight-time all-star in New Jersey at least through the 2010-11 season.
Carter will receive $66 million US guaranteed - which includes four years plus a partial guarantee for a fifth year - and could make as much as $80 million, according to a person involved in the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the Nets haven’t announced the terms.
The framework for the deal was first reported on July 1.
Carter recently became a free agent when he opted out of the final year of a contract with the Nets that would have paid him $16.3 million next season.
“I knew it could happen. It’s about patience and waiting for the right time,” Carter said at a news conference that featured balloons, a drumline and a live television feed. “I kind of put it on the shelf and wanted to concentrate on my season, and I probably played my best basketball this year because of that.”
Carter was the only Net to play in all 82 games last season and averaged 25.2 points, six rebounds and 4.8 assists.
The New Jersey Nets are listed with early odds of 20 to 1 to win the Eastern Conference in 2008 - a payout of $2000 for every $100 bet.
