The Memphis Grizzlies misery was finally brought to an end when they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. The Grizzlies had a very good season and deserved to be in the playoffs, but by the end, they were so depleted by injuries that they looked more like a D-League team than an NBA playoff team.
In the playoffs, the Grizzlies were playing with Zach Randolph, Matt Barnes and Vince Carter as their best players- yikes. Speaking of Carter, he has a decision to make regarding his future not only with the Grizzlies, but in the NBA, in general.
Carter just finished his 18th NBA season, and he will turn 40 next year if he decides to play. Carter has a contract with the Grizzlies for next season, but his salary of more than $4 million is non-guaranteed. Carter has no plans to call it quits this summer, as he says that his body feels good and he plans on being back with the Grizzlies for at least one more year.
Of course, just because Carter wants to be back, that doesn't necessarily mean that he will be. The Grizzlies can decide to cut Carter next year since his salary isn't guaranteed and move in a different direction. This offseason, the Grizzlies' focus will be on retaining Mike Conley, which they are confident they will do, but if they cannot keep their point guard, then all bets are off and nobody on the team is safe.
"Vinsanity" appeared in 60 games with the Grizzlies this season and averaged 6.6 points per game, up from 5.8 last season. Carter also saw an increase in his shooting percentages from last year, although his field goal percentage (38 percent) still left a lot to be desired. Carter did make 35 percent of his threes this season, though, which is a good number, and the Grizzlies are always on the lookout for more shooters considering that is an area in which they have struggled in recent years.
Whether it's with the Grizzlies or not, it seems almost certain that Carter will be playing somewhere next season. That will hold off the debate about whether he is a Hall of Famer for another year, but there are many who think that he is right on the fringe.
