The 2024-25 NBA season has been a rough one for the Sacramento Kings (so far). As of writing this, they are 13-17, losers of four straight games, and only the 12th-best team in the Western Conference. Do you know what the 12th-best team in the conference gets to do at the end of the season? Nothing. Nothing at all.
To top things off, there have been rumblings about De'Aaron Fox potentially wanting out of the only franchise he's ever known.
All this is to say that the Kings have not been able to catch a break lately. That's why this recent news is a much-needed change of pace.
Devin Carter Injury Update
One of the highlights of the Kings' 2024 offseason was drafting Devin Carter with the 13th overall pick. Most times, players selected in the middle of the draft aren't major needle movers. But Carter is different because many analysts had him much higher than 13th on their board. On top of that, some people have described him as possessing a similar set of skills to Derrick White – a combo guard who played an integral role in the Boston Celtics' title run.
Unfortunately, the Kings haven't been able to benefit from Carter and his valuable complimentary skillset because he's been out all season so far as he rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery. The good news is that we won't have to wait too much longer to see him play at the NBA level.
On Thursday, it was announced that Carter has been cleared for unrestricted basketball activity. Soon, he will be assigned to the Stockton Kings (Sacramento's G-League affiliate) in order to get back into playing shape. And once his stamina is at the threshold the team needs it to be at, he'll get moved up to the big leagues.
According to sources, Sacramento Kings rookie Devin Carter (left shoulder surgery) has been cleared for unrestricted basketball activity. He is expected to be assigned to G League Stockton soon to get reps with live play.
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) December 26, 2024
On top of that, Carter also posted this ode to Eminem on his Twitter page, likely signaling that he plans on being on the court very soon.
— Devin Carter (@kingcarter2225) December 26, 2024
Now, as we've discussed before at A Royal Pain, Carter will not be the one to write the wrongs of this season. The team needs more size than he can offer at 6'3. But if the Kings really do decide to hit the reset button, it will be nice to have him back so that he can benefit from the increased reps that will be available to young players.
And even if the Kings do decide to keep going with this current core, it will be nice to give him minutes when we can and finally find out if we have something special in our 2024 first round draft pick.