Vince Carter: 'I'm coming back' for 22nd season

 Speaking to co-hosts Kent Bazemore and Annie Finberg in the latest episode of his “Winging It” podcast, Vince Carter confirmed that he intends to continue his playing career into the 2019-20 season (hat tip to Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution).

“Yeah, I’m coming back,” Carter said during a discussion about Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki, who each called it a career at the end of the 2018-19 season.

Asked by Finberg if he’ll return to the Hawks, Carter said, “I would like to. We’ll see what happens.”

Assuming Carter re-signs with Atlanta or catches on with a new team and appears in at least one game next season, he’ll become the first player in NBA history to play for 22 seasons, breaking the record that he and Nowitzki tied this season. Robert Parish, Kevin Willis and Kevin Garnett also had 21-year NBA careers.

Despite turning 42 in January, Carter continued to be a productive rotation player in Atlanta this season, averaging 7.4 PPG and 2.6 RPG with a .419/.389/.712 shooting line in 76 games (17.5 MPG) for the Hawks. Head coach Lloyd Pierce also praised the veteran swingman for helping to create a “different atmosphere” in the Hawks’ locker room.

Carter will be an unrestricted free agent in July.