Jan 25, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Former NBA star Vince Carter speaks at a jersey retirement press conference before a game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Miami Heat at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images John Jones-Imagn Images

Vince Carter’s Veteran Message Applies to Nets’ Young Roster

Originally posted on Brooklyn Nets on SI
By Sameer Kumar | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 8:00 PM ET

The Brooklyn Nets are the youngest team in the NBA, a reality that makes development inevitable, but leadership essential.

Terance Mann has emerged as the roster’s de facto veteran voice, but the Nets could still use another voice to guide an entire young locker room through an 82-game season.

Sure, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder were the youngest team in the league last season, but reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander developed alongside two rising All-Stars and a strong defensive group, while also learning under Chris Paul early in his career.

Hall of Famer Vince Carter, who lasted 22 seasons in the league, knows firsthand the importance of keeping veterans around in the locker room, a message that applies to his former team's young roster.

"Veterans matter," Carter said. "For you organizations out there, you need at least two veterans because it's hard for one veteran to police a locker room and having to relate to what they like. The music, artists, what they think about, [and] how we used to think as young guys. Obviously, you make them aware of it. This is what it used to be like and being able to blend all of that to get your point across. That was one of the most challenging things, more so than basketball at 40."

.@mrvincecarter15 wants those who run NBA teams to understand one thing: "Veterans matter."

"You organizations out there need at least two veterans."

He explains how he broke through with De'Aaron Fox in Sacramento. pic.twitter.com/IR0NwGZJlH
— Cousins with Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady (@VinceAndTmac) February 1, 2026

Nets coach Jordi Fernández has emphasized earning minutes, playing through exhaustion, and embracing physicality all season, refusing to let youth become an excuse. Still, it’s difficult for a coach and younger voices to build a culture of accountability on their own.

Nic Claxton has grown into more of a leader this season, but his nightly responsibility is anchoring the defense and producing on the floor, not managing the locker room.

Michael Porter Jr.’s primary responsibility is still scoring and reading the defense in real time, even as his improved off-ball play shows a growing understanding of team concepts.

The 19-year-old Egor Dëmin has shown incredible self-awareness and maturity, but even he can still use a veteran to encourage him to put more pressure on the rim, which would open up his game tremendously.

Ultimately, bringing in another true veteran, someone willing to do the dirty work, hit the spot-up 3, or guide younger players through adversity, could ease the burden on the team’s main contributors and help the younger players adjust to the next level, a need that will be especially important for whoever the Nets select in this upcoming draft.

This article first appeared on Brooklyn Nets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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