Devin

Carter

Carter was able to make an appearance for the Stockton Kings, and while the 13th overall pick will have to wait at least one more game before making his NBA debut, he is clearly getting closer. He should play a decent-sized role off the bench when he is cleared to play, but it’s unclear if that’ll be enough for him to be worth rostering as a rookie.

When the Kings revealed on July 7 that Carter, the 13th overall pick in last month’s draft, would undergo surgery, the full severity of the issue was unknown. With doctors needing to repair a torn labrum, Carter will be sidelined for at least six months, likely taking him out of consideration in redraft leagues. His absence makes Keon Ellis and Jordan McLaughlin players of added importance within the Kings rotation, especially with Davion Mitchell being traded to the Raptors.

Two days after the Kings announced that Carter would not participate in the California Classic or Vegas Summer League, Charania reports that the first-round pick will undergo shoulder surgery. While the former Providence standout is expected to fully recover without any long-term issues, it’s unknown if Carter will be healthy when training camp begins. In addition to having Keon Ellis on the roster, the Kings also signed Jordan McLaughlin to a one-year contract. Carter’s value in redraft leagues won’t be determined until the Kings announce a recovery timeline, but he does take a hit due to the uncertainty.

Carter injured his shoulder during the pre-draft process, and neither he nor the Kings are concerned about potential long-term issues. The rookie, selected with the 13th overall pick, will sit out both summer leagues that Sacramento is competing in. “I think we got to get him in here and get with our doctors and just see what it is,” Kings general manager Monte McNair said in June. “But when we get through the draft process, our docs are confident. We’ve been in touch with his team. We’re confident it’s not a long-term issue.” With Sacramento trading Davion Mitchell to the Raptors, Carter has a more straightforward path to rotation minutes as a rookie. However, backing up De’Aaron Fox will limit his fantasy ceiling in redraft leagues.

After spending his freshman season at South Carolina, Carter flourished after transferring to Providence. His second and final season with the Friars was his best, with Carter winning Big East Player of the Year. The son of former NBA guard Anthony Carter, Devin averaged 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 2.5 3-pointers, shooting 47.3% from the field and 74.9% from the foul line. He was measured at 6-foot-2 1/4 at the NBA Draft Combine, but Carter is one of the most athletic players in this draft class. He projects to play the point at the next level, and the improvement throughout his collegiate career bodes well for Carter’s NBA future. In Sacramento, Carter’s unlikely to be a starter due to the presence of De’Aaron Fox. However, Davion Mitchell’s struggles to make the backup point guard job his own may open the door for the former Providence standout to crack the rotation immediately.