Devin Carter officially inked an Exhibit 10 deal with the Boston Celtics on Monday morning, marking a potential fresh start for a player who was a lottery selection just three seasons ago. This isn’t your everyday signing; Carter’s journey in the NBA hasn’t been smooth, but this move could be the exact reset he needs in a system that already excels at what he does best.
From Lottery Pick to Exhibit 10: Carter’s Wild Ride
It’s wild to think a lottery pick is now on an Exhibit 10 deal, but that’s where Carter finds himself. His two seasons with the Sacramento Kings were, let’s be real, a bit of a mess for him. The Kings didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet or give him a clear path, despite their own track record of bizarre roster choices. He played 74 career NBA games, and only 25 of those saw him on the court for 20 minutes or more. Talk about limited opportunity!
But here’s the kicker: Carter isn’t some traditional bust. He’s shown real flashes. We’re talking 11 multi-steal performances and four games where he dropped 20 or more points. And those big scoring nights? He was super efficient, shooting a combined 60% from the field in those four contests. Yeah, his college 38% three-point stroke hasn’t consistently translated to the pros, and he can get a little erratic with the ball, which wasn’t as prevalent in his Providence days. But those defensive moments? They were a huge reason he was a lottery pick in the first place, and Boston noticed.
Boston’s Defensive Empire Gets a New Hound
This Exhibit 10 deal with the Celtics is a fascinating play. For Carter, it’s a shot: earn a regular season roster spot, and that Exhibit 10 converts to a standard non-guaranteed contract. If not, it could become a two-way deal, or he could get a bonus to join their G-League affiliate in Maine. For Boston, though, this feels like the rich just getting richer. They already boast one of the league’s strongest perimeter defenses on paper.
Derrick White just earned his third All-Defensive Team honor, proving he’s a certified lockdown specialist. Plus, guys like Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez, and Baylor Scheierman showed serious defensive chops over a full season, and Ron Harper Jr. flashed potential in his brief time with the team. Boston wasn’t lacking defensive hounds, by any stretch. But adding Carter? They just brought in another hungry depth piece who can play defense. You just know the coaching staff sees his potential, especially on that end of the floor.
What’s next for Carter? Can he translate those “flashes” into consistent production and secure a full-time spot? It’s going to be exciting to watch him fight for a place on what’s already a stacked Boston squad known for its defense. He’s got everything to gain, and Boston might have just found another hidden gem.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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