If the No. 15 was to ever be worn again by a member of the Atlanta Hawks following Al Horford's departure in 2016, the center is at least happy it'll now be donned by someone he has a great deal of respect and admiration for.
The number has been issued to 41-year-old veteran Vince Carter, who signed a one-year contract with the Hawks this summer.
"Vince is someone I look up to and I'm glad he's wearing the number!" Horford told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore.
Related: Vince Carter leaves door open to playing past this season
Carter has worn No. 15 for a majority of his 20 seasons in the Association. It changed to No. 25 during his 51-game run with the Phoenix Suns in 2010-11 as No. 15 was already in use by center Robin Lopez. Carter then maintained the change for three years with the Dallas Mavericks (2011-14) before returning to No. 15 with the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings.
Had 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony remained with the Hawks organization following his trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder before Carter signed, the No. 15 would've gone to him.
Hey @carmeloanthony your jersey is on it’s way...good luck, fam! pic.twitter.com/Yzh04ZUzSp
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) August 9, 2018
Horford suited up for nine seasons with Atlanta after going third overall in the 2007 draft. He ranks eighth in Hawks history in total rebounds, 10th in field goals, sixth in rejections, and fifth in win shares.
The 32-year-old now dons No. 42 with the Boston Celtics, as the team retired No. 15 for Tom Heinsohn.
