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Devin Carter is a ‘perfect’ fit for Kings as No. 13 overall draft pick – NBC Sports Bay Area and California

Posted on by Vaseline

SACRAMENTO – The Kings added some much-needed defensive help and depth to an already stacked backcourt Wednesday night when they took Big East Conference Player of the Year Devin Carter with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Carter was a two-way star for Providence, leading the Friars in points, rebounds, assists and steals during his junior – and senior – year in college. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound guard, who has the size to play small forward, built a reputation for his defense before taking his offense to the next level last season, increasing his draft stock.

“Deep down in my heart, I felt like this was the team that I thought would pick me,” Carter said on a conference call with reporters at Golden 1 Center. “I felt like I had a really (good) training with them, the meetings and everything with the decision makers. Everything was just perfect in my eyes. I think we all clicked.”

They did.

Kings general manager Monte McNair spoke highly of Carter, praising his versatility and overall approach.

“The exact type of guy we’re always looking for,” McNair said. “Intangibles on and off the field, the ability to play on and off the ball, play both ways, and honestly just a winner.”

Carter had been on the radar of NBA scouts for some time for his defensive skills, and his popularity grew after the 2023-2024 college season, when he reached career highs for points (19.7), rebounds (8.7 ) and assists per match (3.6). ), field goal shooting percentage (47.3) and 3-point shooting percentage (37.7 percent).

“Kind of like the heartbeat of Providence this year,” McNair said. “He has improved his shot. Someone who always comes up with both our scouts and analysts just because of all the things he does on the floor.”

Carter will likely be used off the Kings bench as a backup to point guard De’Aaron Fox in his first NBA season. Sacramento also has Malik Monk, Kevin Huerter, Keon Ellis and Davion Mitchell ahead of them on the depth chart.

Still, it’s a logical choice for the Kings.

After rumors swirled that the Kings could trade up for a first-round pick, McNair opted to stick with the pick and select one of the most versatile players available.

“Sacramento is getting a win-now player,” Carter said. “Someone who does all the dirty work, gets the rebounds, dives for loose balls, takes the lead and guards the other team’s best player. Someone who will do it all. Whatever it takes to win.”

The Kings made significant strides with their defense last season, but finished with a mediocre overall rating of 114.4. Carter, who averaged nearly two steals per game last season, gives Sacramento another defensive-first player similar to Mitchell.

Carter is much more aggressive offensively than Mitchell. He has the speed and skill to attack the rim and scored 20 points or more 15 times last season, when he shot nearly 47.3 percent from the field (37.7 percent on threes) and had 13 double-doubles.

The Kings didn’t hesitate to select Carter despite rumors of a shoulder injury. McNair seemed to confirm the injury, but didn’t sound like it was serious.

“We knew he was dealing with one,” McNair said. “We need to get him over here and talk to our doctors to see what it is.”

Carter already has some familiarity with the NBA and the Kings.

His father, Anthony, played 13 seasons in the NBA for the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors. He also served as an assistant coach on George Karl’s Kings staff in 2015-16.

The father gave his son some advice as he started the journey.

“I just told him to go out there and play hard. You only get one shot at it,” Anthony Carter told ESPN’s Monica McNutt shortly after the Kings made their picks. “You can’t go in there and pretend you’ve made it. Every day you step on the field you have to compete. And it doesn’t matter who you play against. Don’t be impressed.”

The way Carter dressed for the draft, during which he was star struck, is probably King’s last concern. He wore a light blue suit jacket, accented by small crystals, without a shirt, had earrings dangling from each ear and wore a pair of nifty Cartier sunglasses that Carter had made especially for him.

“It’s a little flashy, but I was born in Florida, and Miami specifically, so it’s just who I am,” Carter said.

If Carter can be as flashy on the court, the Kings will be the ones celebrating.

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