One of the most decorated players in Nets franchise history is making a long-awaited return, just not on the court. Vince Carter will join Brooklyn's YES Network broadcast team as an analyst this season. Carter will analyze “a small package of games” this season alongside Richard Jefferson and Sarah Kustok, YES Network announced on Tuesday.

The return marks a reunion for Carter and Jefferson, who played alongside one other for three seasons from 2005 to 2008.

After retiring in 2020, Carter joined ESPN as an analyst covering both NBA and college games. He was one of several broadcasting casualties during a spree of firings this summer, with the network reportedly choosing not to renew his contract.

Vince Carter played for the Nets, Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks over 21 NBA seasons. His 1,541 games played ranks third in NBA history, trailing Hall of Fame centers Robert Parish and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Five of those seasons with the Nets from 2005 to 2009. Following his trade to New Jersey, Carter averaged 27.5 points for the Nets in 57 games to close the 2004-2005 season, the highest single-season scoring average in the franchise’s NBA era. The shooting guard/small forward finished his Nets tenure with three All-Star appearances, averaging 23.6 points and 5.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.2 steals on 45/37/81 shooting splits over 374 appearances.

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That 23.6 points per game mark is the third-highest in team history.

The Nets enter 2023-24 with a revamped roster following last year's midseason trades of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and a series of offseason signings. Brooklyn opens the regular season at home Wednesday vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers.