The Sacramento Kings may have to start the 2024-25 season without rookie point guard Devin Carter.
Sacramento Kings No. 13 pick Devin Carter is expected to undergo left shoulder surgery next week, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Carter’s status at the start of next season is in question, but he is fully expected to make a full recovery with no long-term issues. pic.twitter.com/oHHDmA7iKY
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 7, 2024
The 13th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Carter “is expected to undergo left shoulder surgery next week,” per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Kings’ Devin Carter To Undergo Offseason Surgery, May Miss Time
Rising up draft boards in the back half of 2023-24, Carter’s debut has been highly anticipated.
He’s an older prospect at 22 years old, but has an all-around impact and solid scoring upside. The 2024 Big East Player of the Year, Carter averaged 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 block per game last season. With .473-.377-.749 shooting splits, he projected to be a rotation-level player from Day 1.
Of course, there are going to be a number of games where he doesn’t see the game much.
De’Aaron Fox is one of the league’s most exceptional talents, his blinding speed helping the Kings run up the score. A superb clutch performer, Carter’s fourth quarter minutes may have been particularly limited. Carter could play as an off guard due to his scoring mindset. Yet, with Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter, there might not be much need for him in that role. Factoring in DeMar DeRozan, who projects to start at small forward but began his career as a shooting guard, the likelihood Carter plays primarily at point guard increases even more.
Nonetheless, with his scoring instincts, shooting touch, and shooting range, he can be an x-factor. In those 15 minutes where Fox isn’t the game, he can keep them in it or push the lead. Defensively, Carter’s ability to shadow his man is an increasingly rare skill for guards. It remains to be seen if he can match Davion Mitchell’s mastery. Still, Carter won’t just hold his own, he should make game-changing defensive plays.
Who Plays In His Place?
If Carter isn’t able to play, the Kings will still have to turn to a new face in the backcourt. After drafting the Florida native, Sacramento traded Mitchell, an excellent on-ball defender who was growing into his own offensively. Because Monk can play as the lead guard in spurts, he may be the best option. Recently signed Jordan McLaughlin, who averaged a career-high 4.2 assists per game his rookie season, is another.
