Vince Carter hints at retirement after this season

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NBA veteran star Vince Carter has dropped a huge hint that he may retire at the end of this season.

"It’s something I fight with every day. I talk with friends and family, but you really don’t know. I think this is my last year. I’m around 90-something percent," Carter said Thursday during a conference call for the Jr. NBA World Championships.

"If you had asked me last month, I would’ve said I’d give it a go another year – you just don’t know. So I refuse to make a decision and worry about it during the season.

"My ultimate goal is to play my best basketball and to help my team win as many games as possible. After the season, I’ll take time to make a definite decision and I’m sure I’ll go back and forth on it."

The eight-time NBA All Star said he didn't judge his peers for chasing rings, but added it was not something he planned to do.

"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.

The 41-year-old reached an agreement on a one-year, $2.4 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks last month, according to ESPN.

When asked about the possibility of chasing a ring at this point in his career, Carter said he'd rather compete for minutes than serve as a mentor on a title contender.

"I still want to play the game. Whatever minutes are there, I want (them)," he added.

(With input from agencies)