The Sacramento Kings are going to have a lot of decisions this summer. A big one will be Devin Carter, who has a team option for the 2026-2027 season. If Sacramento's front office is smart, they'll keep the young player on the team as he has the tenacity and drive to be successful in the rebuild.
Carter hasn't exactly had an idyllic run with the Kings. Drafted in 2024, he spent much of his first season in the G League or injured. When he did finally get called up, it was in the middle of the storm created by the departures of former head coach Mike Brown and guard De'Aaron Fox.
This season, also known as Carter's second in the league, has been a mixed bag. He's spent a lot of time on the bench, even when injuries decimated the roster. Rookies were getting a lot more minutes and usage than Carter, giving many people the sense he was on his way out.
Carter by the numbers
Then, February hit and the game changed for Carter. With several players out for the season, he started getting more time. During February, he played in nine games, averaging 23.9 minutes, 11.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game.
In the Kings' most recent win over the Bulls, Carter only played six minutes but still collected solid three points, four rebound, three assists, and one steal. He followed that up against the Pacers with a career best 24 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 16 minutes on the court.
Fans are starting to get whiplash due to how quickly and frequently the Kings seem to change their minds on Carter. He went from 6.5 minutes per game in January to 23.9 in February and 13.3 in March so far. What makes him so compelling as a player is how he's handling this.
The Kings need Carter on the roster long-term
If Devin Carter is annoyed with the Kings' start and stop approach, he's not showing it. He just does what's asked of him. If Doug Christie wants to put him on the court for 32 minutes, Carter can go. When the next game happens and Christie benches him, Carter rolls with it.
What matters is that when he does get the call, he's always ready and generally plays well for Sacramento. Carter scored in the double digits in seven out of those nine games he played in February. The Kings need team members with that mentality and that level of tenacity.
Carter's contract has team options in both 2026-2027 and 2027-2028, so there's no telling what's about to happen. Hopefully, the Kings choose to hang onto him. Devin seems to be fitting right in with Sacramento's youth movement, and could be a solid rotational player off the bench.