Devin Carter was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with a lottery pick just over one season ago, but you wouldn’t know it based on his playing time.
Sure, it made sense for Carter, the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, to see the floor on a limited basis behind then-franchise-guard De’Aaron Fox–but Fox is now gone, playing point guard for the second-seed San Antonio Spurs.
Rather than see Carter get an extended run at the starting or backup point guard spot, Sacramento brought in two veterans–Dennis Schroder on a three-year, $45 million pact and Russell Westbrook on a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal–to lead the Kings backcourt entering the 2025-26 season.
Fast forward to the present, and Sacramento is 12-35 on the year and on the fast track to a top-five pick in this summer’s loaded Draft.
As the Kings drag themselves through the final games leading into the highly-anticipated NBA Trade Deadline (Thursday, February 5th at 12 pm PT), one question is becoming more head-scratching as time goes on:
Why can’t Devin Carter see some actual minutes in this rotation?
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 12: Devin Carter #22 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks at Golden 1 Center on November 12, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
More on Devin Carter & the Sacramento Kings
Devin Carter’s NBA career got off to a rough start before he even suited up for a practice.
The Providence product injured his shoulder during a pre-Draft workout and underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum shortly after being signed by Sacramento, meaning he would be sidelined for over half of his 2024-25 rookie season.
Upon making his Kings debut in January 2025, Carter played sparingly as a backup, but his minutes increased following Sacramento’s blockbuster deal that sent Fox to the Spurs and brought sharpshooter Zach LaVine to the 916.
Carter was in head coach Doug Christie’s rotation for the Kings’ NBA Play-In loss to Dallas, where he scored 10 points, grabbed four boards, and swiped a steal over 22 minutes of action–potentially a sign of what was to come during his sophomore season.
Rather than open up training camp as a 23-year-old in a strong spot in Christie’s rotation, Carter was demoted to third-string point guard behind Westbrook and Schroder, two veterans that were brought in by first-year general manager Scott Perry.
With former general manager Monte McNair, the one who drafted Carter in 2024, out of the equation, Carter’s chance at becoming a consistent part of the Sacramento Kings’ rotation appeared to depart with him.
Through 47 games thus far for Sacramento, Carter has appeared in just 13 games and played an average of 8.3 minutes in those contests.
Carter has played over 10 minutes in a game just three times this season, including one lone appearance with 20-plus minutes.
Although he may not be the type of talent that can turn a franchise around, would it hurt to see what you have in Carter–or what other potential interested teams could see in the 6’2 guard–before the trade deadline?
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 03: Devin Carter #22 of the Sacramento Kings high-fives Domantas Sabonis #11 in the first half of their game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center on January 03, 2025 in Sacramento, California. Carter is making his NBA debut in tonight's game. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
During the latest edition of The Matt George Podcast, Matt George posed a similar question for a Kings team that is currently prioritizing the playing time of rookies Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford, and Dylan Cardwell.
Can Carter get a shot, too?
“Can Devin Carter get one or two legitimate rotational opportunities with the Kings this season?” George asked. “Just to see if you have one or two games where you decide that one of Russ or Schroder won’t play, so you can get a look.
“Have Russ take a day off. I know Russ would probably be furious with this, but whatever, have Russ take a game off with lower back soreness or knee soreness or whatever, and just give Devin Carter a look or two or better yet, give other teams, give the fans, give me, the media like me, so we can all be certain, a look or two of what Devin Carter looks like with an actual rotational opportunity, not just garbage time, minutes at the ends of end of blowouts.”
What do you think, Kings fans? Should Sacramento give Carter a look as they move into this rebuild?
Check out the full episode of The Matt George Podcast and share your thoughts in the comments.
Subscribe to The Matt George Podcast on Sactown Sports
Subscribe to The Matt George Podcast on Apple & Spotify. You can also watch all episodes of The Matt George Podcast on the Sactown Sports YouTube page & SactownSports.com.
Matt George brings years of experience covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter, with deep roots in Sacramento’s basketball community.
His approach blends reporting, analysis, and a fan’s perspective—making The Matt George Podcast both informative and accessible for die-hard and casual Kings fans alike.
You can also hear Matt on Sactown Sports alongside Kayla Anderson on The Matt & Kayla Show, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Tuesday, January 27th – @ New York Knicks – 4:30 PM PT
Thursday, January 29th – @ Philadelphia 76ers – 4:00 PM PT
Sunday, January 30th – @ Boston Celtics – 4:30 PM PT
Sunday, February 1st – @ Washington Wizards – 3:00 PM PT
Wednesday, February 4th – vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 7:00 PM PT
Thank you for readingSactownSports.com. Follow us onTwitterandGoogle News, and subscribe to ourYouTubechannel.