After just 51 games with the Phoenix Suns, former Slam Dunk champion and perennial All-Star Vince Carter will be waived by the Suns and as a result will become a free agent on Dec. 9. Even though Carter is without a doubt on the downside of his NBA career and has been plagued by injuries over the past few years, the veteran guard has drawn some interest from teams like the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers.
With all four of the teams mentioned above looking to contend for an NBA title next season, Vince Carter has a good chance of getting a short-term contract and finally having shot at winning a ring before he calls it quits. Much like his cousin Tracy McGrady (also a free agent), Vince Carter has been labeled injury prone and no longer the high-flying scoring machine he once was. Despite his decline from elite status in the NBA, Carter could be just what teams like the Heat, Bulls, Spurs and Lakers are looking for coming into the shortened 2011-12 NBA season for instant offense off the bench.
One of the positions that the Lakers will be looking to address heading in NBA free agency on Dec. 9 will be shooting guard. With Shannon Brown most likely not returning and rookie Andrew Goudelock not even guaranteed a spot on the roster, the Lakers will need to add a shooting guard through free agency and Vince Carter has reportedly sparked the interest of Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak.
There is no telling just how much basketball is left in Vince Carter at this point as his numbers have declined every season over the past five years. Despite the declining numbers, Carter still has the ability to score 20+ points on any given night and could be a lethal offensive weapon off the bench for the Lakers next season.
Along with Vince Carter, the Los Angeles Lakers have shown interest in the following guards and forwards that might fill the void: Baron Davis, J.J. Barea, Arron Afflalo, Jamal Crawford, Shane Battier, Rashard Lewis, Grant Hill and Tracy McGrady. The best fit for the Lakeshow at shooting guard in my opinion would be Afflalo or Crawford. Every team in the league seems to have these two on the free-agent radar, but the Lakers might be able to convince one of them to come to Los Angeles.
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