Will Vince Carter Join The Cleveland Cavaliers?

The Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to re-sign J.R. Smith and the Memphis Grizzlies need to decide Vince Carter’s future. Could Vinsanity join the Cavaliers?

Vince Carter is entering his 19th NBA season and is set to open the season with the Memphis Grizzlies. However, the Grizzlies have less than 20 days to use his contract as a waive and stretched trade chip, according to Matt Hrdlicka.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have yet to re-sign J.R. Smith, the starting shooting guard on last year’s team. That creates a void left to fill if they don’t re-sign the veteran guard.

While Smith fits perfectly with the Cavaliers and has created chemistry with his teammates, Cavs’ General Manager David Griffin needs to also evaluate other options.

Enter Vince Carter. Carter is a 39-year old veteran guard that could be used in a platoon role. Carter has only played around 25 minutes per game over the last five seasons, so he’d likely come off the bench. It would allow the Cavs to be flexible with their rotations and lineups.

If the Cavs were to acquire Carter, it would likely mean an increased workload for Iman Shumpert. Shumpert is a 3-and-D specialist with more of a focus on the defensive end. Inserting him into the starting lineup would hurt the Cavs offensively, but would improve their defense.

Shumpert, 26, is coming off of the worst season of his career. He only shot 37.4 percent from the field and an abysmal 29.5 percent from three-point range, making him unguardable in a negative sense of the term.

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His numbers are bound to improve, and it would help playing along side playmakers in LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. It could also increase Kevin Love‘s role on the offensive end, where he has been a star.

Coming off the bench, Carter could be an effective player as a slasher and three-point shooter. He doesn’t have the athleticism that he used to display with highlight-reel dunks, but he still moves good. He can use his high-IQ to shake his defenders and get free.

Cater’s last two seasons with the Grizzlies have been a struggle. He has a shooting line of .358/.319/.816 since joining Memphis. Playing with the Cavs provides him an opportunity to win that elusive championship ring.

Whether the Cavs would rather have Smith or Carter isn’t a question. But if Smith isn’t going to re-sign, it may force Cleveland’s hand in making a move, and Carter is a solid addition to a veteran team.