The Sacramento Kings might have gotten stomped out by the Denver Nuggets yet again, but it's hard to ignore the contributions of Devin Carter. His recent stint in the G League might have been short, though it was apparently impactful, and the Sacramento Kings will benefit in the long run.
As bad a season as it has been for the Kings, it's been worse for Carter in particular. He's spent most games on the bench. The few minutes he has gotten on the court haven't really amounted to much. Well, at least until his most recent outing, when he had his best game of the season to date.
The Nuggets may have won 136 to 105, but there were bright spots to the game. Carter played off the bench with 15 points, one rebound, and four assists. It was a respectable showing for someone who scored a total of 17 points across his eight other appearances this season.
For fans watching the game, there was a sense that Carter might finally be tapping into the potential that got him drafted in the first place. The key to unlocking him might have simply been getting him on the court and back into the rhythm of playing regularly.
Devin Carter takes a trip to Stockton
Recently, the Kings assigned Carter to their G League affiliate to get some reps in. He hadn't played in a month at that point and was incredibly rusty. The problems that time off the court created were more than just his game. His confidence in his game was shot and needed to be rebuilt.
Even though he was only there for a couple of rounds, he started for the team and put up solid numbers. He averaged 19.5 points, seven rebounds, and three assists during that short run. Those stats are fairly close to what he put up in the loss to the Nuggets.
Being on the court in Stockton helped him shake off the rust, but also restore that missing confidence. Carter looked more settled and prepared against Denver than he had in weeks. He believed he belonged on that court and validated that belief with his gameplay.
Now, it's the responsibility of Doug Christie and the Kings' coaching staff to build on that. They need to keep giving Carter minutes. From there, his confidence will grow, and he will play better for the team. Whether they decide to trade him or not, Carter has earned that opportunity.