Devin Carter: “I just want to contribute to winning”

Jul 2, 2024, 11:31 AM | Updated: 11:34 am

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: Devin Carter arrives prior to the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Sactown Sports writer

With the 13th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings selected Providence’s Devin Carter. Less than a week later, the 6’2 guard was in the inner workings of Golden 1 Center, holding an introductory press conference alongside the franchise’s general manager, Monte McNair.

When Carter flew in Sunday, he was warmly welcomed by cowbells and cheers, promising a promising impression of what he’s been told are “the best fans in the country.”

As for his potential on-court production, there was one common word used to describe Devin Carter by both himself and McNair: a winner.

“Early in my career, I just want to impact winning,” Carter said. “In college, I wasn’t focused on the individual awards that I got. First-Team Big East, I wasn’t focused on that. I think that me being focused on winning and just playing the right way, the individual awards came with that.”

During his final collegiate season, he averaged 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game on 47.3/37.7/74.9 shooting splits.

“I don’t have any rookie goals or anything like that. My main concern is just winning and playing the right way, and then, if those awards can come with winning, then I’ll happily take them,” he continued. “I think just me playing the right way, playing with my teammates, being a great teammate, being able to listen and learn, not being hard-headed. I think that, from day one, is what I’m going to do.”

His potential versatility seems to be an intriguing selling point for fitting in alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis in the long term. As McNair pointed out, the NBA Draft primarily focuses on the organization’s extended future and roster.

“We talk about the draft being a time to not just add to our team now but hopefully somebody that can be here for five to ten years down the road and be a part of our team,” the general manager said.

The California Classic Summer League begins this weekend. Carter is currently dealing with a shoulder injury, which is putting his status in question. More clarity should be provided later this week after Sacramento’s training staff can examine the injury that occurred during a workout.

When is the next NBA off-season date of interest?

Now that the NBA Draft is in the rearview, all eyes will shift to the start of free agency.

All 30 teams will be able to negotiate free-agent deals with players beginning this Sunday, June 30th, at 3:00 PM PDT.

Sacramento already did some heavy lifting by agreeing to a four-year, $78 million deal with Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Malik Monk, as the two sides agreed on a long-term contract last weekend.

Stay locked into Sactown Sports for all of your Kings free agency coverage, including player profiles, trade rumors, and much more.