The Toronto Raptors announced they will honor Vince Carter this season.

Toronto will retire Carter’s No. 15 jersey on Nov. 2 when the Sacramento Kings come to Scotiabank Arena.

Toronto’s decision to retire Carter’s jersey came days after the Brooklyn Nets announced they will retire the 47-year-old’s jersey on Jan. 25 of 2025.

While many people agree that Carter deserves this honor, there were some high-ranking members of the Raptors who thought Kyle Lowry’s jersey should’ve been retired first by the franchise, according to TSN’s Josh Lewenberg:

“There were high-ranking members of the organization who maintained that Kyle Lowry should be the first to receive the honour, having spent nearly a decade with the club, been the face of its most successful era, and led it to a championship.

However, Lowry is about to begin his 19th NBA season; he’s in the back nine of his career, but his retirement is at least a few years off. With Carter’s Hall of Fame induction coinciding with the Raptors’ 30th season, the timing felt right and there was a strong push made on his behalf. It gained steam in May when the Nets announced that they would be retiring Carter’s jersey.”

Carter’s tenure with the Raptors did end in controversial fashion as friction grew between he and the team. Also, Carter only won one playoff series in six years in Toronto.

However, the impact Carter had is undeniable. Not only did he raise the profile of the Raptors, but he helped ignite enthusiasm for basketball across Canada.

Carter also inspired an entire generation of Canadian born NBA players. Without Carter, it’s unknown what would’ve happened to the basketball market in Toronto.

Lowry’s career is not over, but once he retires the Raptors will surely honor him next. However, for now it’s time to celebrate what Carter has meant to the Raptors franchise