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Ranking every first-round pick in Toronto Raptors history

By Raju Byfield

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors sits in his seat during the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 17: Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors sits in his seat during the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Vince Carter. /

Vince Carter – 5th overall (1998)

Half-Man, Half-Amazing. Air Canada. Eight-time all-star. Two-time All-NBA. 1998-99 rookie of the year. Owner of the best slam dunk contest performance of all-time.

Vince Carter changed everything. As anyone who has taken in the documentary the Carter Effect will know, Vince Carter changed how basketball was viewed in Toronto and the country of Canada single-handedly.

Yes, we know Carter wasn’t technically drafted by the Toronto Raptors. However, for all intents and purposes, it was Toronto making the call.

One of the most exciting players in the league as a mere rookie, Carter was in the conversation for best player in the league during his time with the Raptors. Players like Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and ex-teammate and cousin Tracy McGrady prevented him from ever claiming that title.

As naturally gifted and talented as any player in the NBA, Carter was dogged with effort questions during the tail end of his Raptors tenure. Being nice and friendly with his opponents is something that was new to the NBA at the time, and was not something those from the old school looked upon too kindly. His run with the Raptors was a tumultuous one, but it was not without its highs.

The Toronto Raptors were one shot away from advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for an easy date with an overmatched Milwaukee Bucks team. His performance in the slam dunk contest created Toronto Raptors fans not only across Canada but south of the border as well. Kevin Durant famously admitted that he was a Toronto Raptors fan and wanted to play for them growing up because of Vince Carter.

His impact extends beyond the all-star appearances, his work in the community, or his business. He influenced multiple generations of young Canadians to take basketball more seriously for either themselves or their children, in some cases both. He is directly responsible for the explosion of Canadian talent in the NBA. In fact, he is part of the reason the NBA still exists in Canada.

As for the basketball itself, when he was committed to being at his best, he was sublime. In his rookie of the year campaign averaged 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.5 blocks on 45-percent shooting. He went on to average 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and a block per game on 45-percent shooting in his seven seasons as a Toronto Raptor. His best season in Toronto came in 2000-01 when he averaged 27.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks on 46-percent shooting.

Repeated questionable personnel decisions by the Toronto Raptors played a correlative effect in leading Vince Carter to ask out of Toronto. The divorce was an ugly one that ultimately made Vince Carter the fanbases most hated man for over a decade. The return in the trade did not help matters and only served to exacerbate the situation.

Vince Carter, a day after going to Rob Babcock in an effort to make things work with the team was dumped for Alonzo Mourning (who the team intended to buyout immediately), Eric Williams, Aaron Williams, and two first-round picks. The New Jersey Nets got a motivated Vince.

The best stretch of his career came during the season of the trade when he averaged 27.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks on 46-percent shooting in the 57 games he played with the Nets.

Vince would have some of the best seasons of his career in New Jersey as he averaged 23.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists on 44-percent shooting in 374 games as a member of the Nets.

Vince Carter would go on to spend three seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, three seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, two seasons with Orlando Magic. He also spent a year with the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and most recently the Atlanta Hawks. When Vince Carter plays his first game next season he will set a new record for the most seasons played in the NBA.

The 1998-99 draft class produced three Hall of Famers in Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, and Vince Carter. Both Dirk and Pierce were selected after Vince Carter. Vince was the better prospect, but due to winning NBA championships, both Pierce and Nowitzki went on to have more storied careers. Vince was a steal based on the four names that went ahead of him. Michael Olawakandi, Mike Bibby, Raef Lafrentz and Antawn Jamison.

Next. 30 greatest players in Raptors history. dark

Vince Carter slightly edges out Tracy McGrady for the top spot on this list due to his talent and impact on Toronto basketball. Some may argue that McGrady was the better player and in many respects, they would be right.