Vince Carter: Suns owner Robert Sarver instructed players to 'take me out'

The NBA is investigating an explosive and damning report from ESPN about Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver allegedly using racist language and engaging in misogynistic behavior. Former NBA star Vince Carter is adding fuel to the fire with an allegation that Sarver instructed his players to "take Carter out" when the eight-time All-Star was having a strong game against the Suns.

Carter, 44, spent part of the 2010-11 season with the Suns and said on ESPN that the incident happened during a game in a subsequent season, presumably when Carter spent three seasons with the Dallas Mavericks.

"[Sarver] walked into the locker room — from what I was told by two teammates who are reliable and I trust — and they say that he wasn't happy with me playing well coming back into Phoenix," Carter said. "And we were winning the game and he wanted them to take me out. 'Put him on the ground. Don't let him have fun in our building.' Because he felt like I was trying to show him and the team up."

Carter's first return to Phoenix came during a 122-99 Mavericks victory in January 2012. He finished with 21 points and made five three-pointers, his personal best of the 2011-12 season.

One section of the lengthy report from ESPN detailed Sarver's tendency to make trips to the locker room when he had qualms with the team's coaching or play. He allegedly "berated" coaches in 2019 for failing to make mid-game adjustments, despite assistant coach Joe Prunty explaining many adjustments the team had made. In another incident, the report says Sarver "slammed a stat sheet" in front of coaches that showed lackluster numbers from DeAndre Ayton.

"In all my years, that's the first time I've ever seen an owner come in there and act like that with the coaching staff," former Suns assistant coach Corliss Williamson told ESPN.

Sarver purchased the Suns in 2004 for $401 million. On Thursday, the team released a lengthy rebuttal of the report on Twitter.