If there were an NBA championship given out for franchises shooting themselves in the foot, the Sacramento Kings might be the most dominant team in basketball history. All summer long, the Kings have been linked to Russell Westbrook — that's fine! Now, it's being reported that the Kings might give up second-year guard Devin Carter to acquire Westbrook. That's not fine. That's madness, in fact.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Kings are more likely to trade Devin Carter than Malik Monk to clear space for Russell Westbrook. I guess, sure, if the Kings have to trade one of them, Carter is the guy to pick. But do the Kings know they don't have to trade either of these young guards for one season of Russell Westbrook in 2025? I know I've said before that inaction is death in a rebuild... but I didn't mean to imply that trading a 23 year-old in order to sign a 36 year-old who plays the same position and doesn't really fit the roster is any better. You guys know I didn't mean to imply that, right?
Devin Carter has played 36 NBA games in his career after missing the first half of last season with a torn labrum. He didn't light the world on fire in those 36 games, averaging 3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists, but he's played thirty-six games. Pretty much everybody is bad in their first 36 games. The Kings even considering cutting ties with him — after picking him in the first round one year ago — is frightening. It's mismanagement by Vivek and new GM Scott Perry (if he actually has any decision-making power) and shows the front office was never that confident in Carter to begin with, if 36 games is all he was allowed to showcase his talent.
Parting with Devin Carter or Malik Monk for Russell Westbrook is non-sensical
What's the thought process here? Because I can't fathom what the best outcome would be in signing Westbrook but giving up Monk or Carter. Maybe that Russ miraculously regains his 2020-21 form when he was with the Wizards, and wills the Wizards into the play-in alongside Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis? I know that sounds crazy (it is crazy) but that thought is the only way a move like this could possibly cross the brain of anyone in the Kings front office.
Again — I like Russ. I've always been a Russ fan and I'm thrilled to see him still getting roster spots in this league. I could even warm up to the idea of him on this Kings team, mostly because... why the hell not? But if the only way to add Westbrook is to subtract Carter, the whole thing should be a non-starter.