But Vince Carter doesn't enter this equation because the Spurs had no clue how Vince would fit. This is a case where a former great fit under the same coach/system/star was let go, was recognized as a mistake, and now that they have the money, they're going all out to amend such mistake and hope that old mix can still work.
If anything, trades like Kawhi or RJ goes to show that when teams get desperate, they'll gamble, and that includes the Spurs. Some pan out (Kawhi), some do not (RJ). This is a particular case where the Mavs already have hindsight and know Tyson, if healthy, gives them a huge boost. It's still a gamble, but Dallas already knows what's the best-case scenario looks like if it works out.
No other center in the league works for the Mavs trying to re-capture that. Everyone else is a bigger gamble.
And Larkin might end up being an All-Star, but also immaterial. It's clear the Mavs are decided to try to surround Dirk with a cast to make another run now, not in 3-4 years.