New Jersey Nets guard/forward Vince Carter has exercised the option to forgo the final year of his contract, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today.

“We fully expected Vince to exercise his option,” said Thorn. “We have stated publicly that we would like to bring him back, and will now work towards that goal.”

Carter, an eight-time all-star, broke the Nets’ franchise record for points in a season for the second consecutive year in 2006-07 (2070). Playing in all 82 games last season, Carter ranked eighth in the league in scoring (25.2 ppg) while averaging 6.0 rpg and 4.8 apg. In two and a half seasons with New Jersey, Carter has averages of 25.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg and 4.6 apg over 218 games. Throughout his nine year NBA career with Toronto and New Jersey, Carter posts career numbers of 24.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 4.1 apg in 621 games. He has also played in 42 postseason contests, averaging 25.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 4.2 apg.

From everything InsideHoops.com has heard it sounds like Carter plans on re-signing with the Nets, and the team plans on making it happen. Players often opt out of contracts towards the end of their deal in hope of signing a longer deal, getting it out of the way. But if their current contract is a high-paying one, they'll usually only opt out early if they know they have a good shot at getting another deal they like.