Carter 'can't imagine' retiring at end of season

Standing in the city where his NBA career began, Vince Carter said Tuesday he doesn't expect to retire upon the conclusion of the 2018-19 campaign.

"We'll see what happens at the end of the year," Carter told reporters prior to the Atlanta Hawks' road game against the Toronto Raptors, according to TSN's Josh Lewenberg. "I feel good ... I'll weigh my options when it's done. I'd like to come back and play."

Carter made his NBA debut with the Raptors on Feb. 5, 1999, 10 days after he turned 22 years old. With his 42nd birthday coming later this month, the oldest active player in the league is still plying his trade, reaching numerous personal and league-wide benchmarks in the process, including 25,000 career points and the most seasons ever played by a wing player (21).

"I try to imagine myself saying, 'This is it,'" he added. "And I can't imagine it right now ... I honestly don't know."

In 36 appearances with the rebuilding Hawks, the man who's been referred to as "Vinsanity," "Air Canada," and "Half-man, Half-amazing" has proved he still has some gas left in the tank. Carter is currently averaging 7.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, both up from last year's output while he was a member of the Sacramento Kings.

"When it's time, it's time," he said. "I'm still toying with that, when that time is going to come. I do know that when it's time I will know it, whenever that time is. Believe me, it'll be crystal clear when it's time."