Last week, Vince Carter signed a one-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks.

The 2018-2019 campaign will be the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer’s 21st NBA season.

Carter spent last season as a member of the Sacramento Kings. Posting 5.4 points in 17.7 minutes per game over 58 contests, Carter played a reserve role on a rebuilding team.

However, the experienced veteran also proved that he can still hang with NBA-level competition. For instance, when he received 30 minutes of playing time against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 27, he went 10-for-12 shooting for 24 points and also added five rebounds and three assists.

He also had 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting with six rebounds in 27 minutes against the San Antonio Spurs on January 28. Although those are just two examples, they proved that he still has skills. 

Therefore, when given the opportunity to play starter’s minutes, he got the job done.

Now as a member of the Hawks, he will likely be able to earn playing time yet again. Since the Hawks are very young and are starting what should be a long rebuilding process, he might even start.

His main competition for playing time includes Taurean Prince, Justin Anderson, DeAndre Bembry, Tyler Dorsey and rookie Kevin Huerter.

After he signed, a major question was brought up all over social media. Why didn’t Vinsanity just sign with the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets or Boston Celtics in an attempt to chase his first-career championship?

On Thursday, he made it clear that he has never chased a ring and most likely will never do so in the future.

Playing time over rings

"I come from an era where that's not how it was. So that's still instilled in me. And I don't have any problem with how it's done now. (It's) just not for me," Carter said Thursday on a conference call with reporters, per Ian Begley of ESPN.

Instead, he signed where he saw an opportunity to receive playing time. "I still want to play the game," Carter said. "Whatever minutes are there, I want (them).”

When asked if he’d sign with a contender next summer, he replied, ”I think before that happens I'll probably retire anyway. … It’s a love. It's tough to walk away. Obviously when it's time, it's time," he said. "But I'm still passionate about it.”

While many Hall of Famers have famously chased rings at the end of their respective careers, it doesn’t seem like Carter will follow suit. Instead, the 41-year-old just wants some playing time.