Devin Carter shines in pro debut, inches closer to joining Kings

Dec 28, 2024, 7:17 PM | Updated: Dec 30, 2024, 9:03 am

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

As the Sacramento Kings work through the drama of a shocking in-season coaching change, rookie guard Devin Carter took the floor at Golden 1 Center on Saturday afternoon for a tune-up game with G-League affiliate Stockton.

Carter, the 13th pick from June’s NBA Draft, has missed the first two-plus months of action as he recovers from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Originally slated to be reevaluated in January, the Providence product was cleared for full-contact basketball activities earlier in the week.

As the Kings struggle to a sub-.500 start to the regular season, Carter’s impending return is viewed as a potential bump to a rotation that could use a lift.

In his first quarter as a professional, the 6’3 guard poured in 10 points on four-of-six shooting (two-of-three from deep) over eight minutes. Carter looked confident shooting the ball from beyond the arc and displayed some craftiness during a coast-to-coast score during his first stint of the night.

Carter appeared to be laboring during the first half as he continued to progress in his conditioning plan, but the guard still managed to score 15 points, grab four rebounds, and swipe two steals while shooting three-of-five from deep over 15 first-half minutes.

As strong as Carter’s first half was, the first few minutes of the third quarter nearly equaled his output during the first two quarters.

The red-hot shooting from beyond the arc continued for Carter, scoring 14 points while sinking all three attempts from deep during his first four minutes of playing time in the second half.

Carter continued to display signs of fatigue as the game went on, but the 13th pick finished the night with 29 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals on 11-of-18 shooting from the field (six-of-nine from deep) over 33 minutes.

It’s no secret that Sacramento could benefit from having a player like Carter, a guard with a 6’9 wingspan who can defend multiple positions, on a roster that lacks defensive versatility.

While Carter’s services would provide interim head coach Doug Christie’s rotation with a boost, the Kings will continue to bring the rookie up to speed in the coming days before evaluating his status following the start of the new year.

Carter, who said he feels “close to 100%” following a six-month recovery, said he is looking forward to joining a Sacramento team that hopes to turn things around in the coming weeks following a rough start to the season.

“Definitely a long season ahead of me,” Carter said. “Looking forward to getting out there with my brothers.”

More on the Sacramento Kings’ 2024 NBA Draft Pick: PG Devin Carter

Carter was the Big East Player of the Year in 2023-24 while also taking home All-Big East First Team Honors. At 6’3, Carter finished the season ranked 3rd in rebounds per game (8.7) and total rebounds (286) among all Big East players.

More Kings coverage from Sactown Sports

A rough start to the 2024-25 season has caused the Sacramento Kings to make a head coaching change.

Mike Brown, the unanimous NBA Head Coach of the Year award winner from the 2022-23 season, has parted ways with the Kings, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Sacramento (13-18) is five games under the .500 mark and is in the midst of its first five-game losing streak since January 2022, creating tension within the Kings organization following back-to-back postseason appearances.

Brown, who signed a multi-year extension with Sacramento just six months ago, will depart with a record of 107-88 (.549) over two and half seasons.

Franchise legend and current assistant coach Doug Christie will assume the role of interim head coach for the final 51 games, per Charania.