In a major blow to their roster aspirations, the Sacramento Kings are grappling with the news that Devin Carter, their prized No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is set to undergo surgery on his left shoulder later this month. The high-flying guard, whose collegiate performance turned heads, will be sidelined for the upcoming Summer League and faces uncertainty regarding his availability at the start of the next NBA season.
Carter’s journey to the NBA has been nothing short of remarkable. Starting his collegiate basketball career at South Carolina, he quickly made a name for himself with a standout freshman season. The promising guard then transferred to Providence, where his talent truly came to the fore. Last season, he was recognized as the Big East Player of the Year, a testament to his exceptional on-court prowess. Chalking up impressive statistics, he averaged 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while showcasing his sharpshooting skills with a 37.7% success rate from beyond the arc.
Basketball is undeniably in Carter’s blood. His father, Anthony Carter, enjoyed a commendable 13-season career in the NBA, playing for six different teams. However, Anthony’s career is remembered as much for an off-court incident that had far-reaching implications as it is for his on-court performances. In the summer of 2003, an oversight by his agent rendered Anthony a free agent, inadvertently freeing up cap space for the Miami Heat. This fortuitous lapse allowed the Heat to sign Lamar Odom, a move that eventually set the stage for a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal’s arrival in Miami was instrumental in the Heat’s championship triumph in 2006.
Standing 6-foot-3, Devin Carter has carved out a reputation more as a scoring guard than a traditional playmaking point guard. His knack for putting points on the board has been a significant asset throughout his basketball journey. His ability to dominate games with his scoring touch was a crucial factor that caught the eye of scouts and ultimately led to his selection by the Kings in the draft.
Despite the upcoming surgery and his subsequent recovery period, the prognosis remains optimistic. Carter is not expected to miss a significant portion of his rookie season, suggesting that the Kings' patience may well be rewarded. They are hopeful that once he returns to full fitness, Devin Carter will exhibit the same explosive talent and scoring ability that he displayed during his college career.
His absence from the Summer League undeniably removes a key opportunity for early acclimatization to the professional level of play and building chemistry with his new teammates. Nevertheless, the Kings and their fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his recovery, with fingers crossed for his timely return to the court.
In the grander context of the Kings' long-term strategy, Carter's initial setback needs to be seen as a minor detour on what promises to be an exciting journey. The promising young guard’s talent and potential suggest that, upon his return, he will add significant depth and scoring prowess to the Kings' lineup. For now, all eyes will be on his rehabilitation process and the countdown to when Sacramento fans can finally see their new star in action.