In another example of the Sacramento Kings' front office mismanagement, the team appears ready to discard a promising young guard in Devin Carter. The Los Angeles Lakers should seize the opportunity in front of them.
Back in July, Kings insider Matt George reported the team's desire to bring in Russell Westbrook as a free agent would likely come at the cost of either Carter or Malik Monk. That move has yet to be finalized, which means both guards can still be had via trade.
George wrote, "The Kings are still looking to move a player like Devin Carter or Malik Monk before they can bring Westbrook in. The Kings have a log jam at the guard position and very little financial flexibility to work with. "
Giving up on a former lottery pick after just one season would perfectly fit the type of blunders the Kings love to practice. The Lakers can get the steal of the offseason out of it by securing a tremendous backcourt partner for Luka Doncic at what could be a buy-low price.
Luka Doncic partnership could unlock best version of Devin Carter
The idea of the Lakers pursuing Carter came up on the Game Theory Podcast with Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon. The latter noted the timing of this would be everything for the Lakers.
Simon said, "There's been a change of front office since he was drafted. ... If I was a team that needed a backup guard of some kind, I would be calling and finding out, especially if you really value the defense and think the jumper can be real."
In that statement, Simon highlighted the main reason for appeal with Carter. His defensive presence in a backcourt with Doncic would give the Lakers someone who can be thrown at other team's tougher perimeter matchups, hiding Luka elsewhere in the process.
Carter struggled with his shot during his first season in the NBA. The Providence product averaged just 3.8 points during 11.0 minutes per game, shooting only 37.0 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from beyond the arc.
However, Carter is still young enough for a team to mold on offense. The shot can improve and who better than Doncic to offer those type of opportunities?
The offensive maestro has proven capable in the past of allowing his teammates the open looks from the perimeter to truly elevate their shooting. Doncic took Dorian Finney-Smith from a subpar shooting with the Dallas Mavericks and allowed him to grow into a marksman.
We don’t deserve DFS! 😂😂😂
Dorian Finney-Smith on the Lakers’ offense: “I’m back getting wide open shots…Now I got that time and be butt naked wide open.” pic.twitter.com/SWQtfWucxH
— LoJo Media (@LoJoMedia) February 24, 2025
Finney-Smith, himself, described the shot quality in Los Angeles last season as 'buck-naked' and 'wide-open.' That sure sounds like the perfect environment for a young player who needs to build confidence in his shooting ability.
The Lakers have an opportunity to secure a young player who can grow into a much-needed 3-and-D presence in their rotation. With Los Angeles lacking very many options built in that mold, the golden opportunity should be wisely considered.