Vince Carter is a really interesting guy to me. I think historically he suffers a bit because of the era he played in. The fact is, perimeter players just weren't that efficient overall in the mid 2000s. Judged against guys playing in the 2020s, Vince looks like an efficient chucker.
But, I think for anybody who watched back then, Vince was a superstar. He could run an offense from SG/SF. I hated him in NJ and Orlando. (Weirdly, as a bench player, he became one of my favorites to watch. He aged incredibly gracefully and was a fantastic mentor.)
Yeah, he was tough to place. I did not have him as my top guy as recently as last night, but when I thought about a guy to be the go to guy on a 2nd unit, or having a superstar offensive centerpiece to sub in for KD because a lot of my guys are off ball or not primary options guys... I went Vince.
Also, if Paul Pierce is a 3rd round talent on a good team, Vince in the 7th is a steal. PP was a better defender but on offense they were every bit equals to those watching 20 years ago. Pierce is a far better starter candidate, but Vince as instant offense with a well rounded offensive game off the bench seems like it would work well.
He and Kidd in the 05-07 era were the top 2 guys on a finals team, and they'll be my bench backcourt essentially, unless Vince plays SF.
Having Kidd off the bench reopens the Q of whether to go with prime Nets Kidd, or old catch & shoot Kidd