How Devin Carter ‘Paying His Dues’ Benefited Kings In Race To Clinching NBA Play-In Tournament Spot

Devin Carter #22 of the Sacramento Kings dunks off an alley-oop from Malik Monk (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

As Malik Monk intercepted the ball in the passing lane, Devin Carter started bolting down the floor. Recognizing who was in transition behind him, the veteran swingman delivered a left-handed behind-the-back pass to the rookie guard in the middle of the paint.

Caught in no man’s land, Sam Merrill could only make a business decision or try to prevent what was coming. Carter caught the pass, rose up with a right hand and punished the rim. The Golden1 Center went ballistic.

“Honestly, that was probably my second time dunking on somebody, ever, in my life,” Carter told RG Media on Sunday evening before the Sacramento Kings took on the Cleveland Cavaliers again in a rematch weeks later. “I never try to dunk on people because I always be scared of getting hurt, but I was just like, ‘Oh well.’”

The Kings ended up winning that game on March 19 with plenty of heart. Carter was pivotal in perhaps his best game as a pro, scoring a career-high 16 points. He nabbed five boards, dished out three assists and recorded three steals.

Confidence Starts on Defense

“I think it started off with defense,” Carter told RG. “Just got a few stops early and gave me confidence to do what I did on the offensive end. Just guarding Donovan (Mitchell), Ty (Jerome), I think that just fueled me to go on the other end and make some shots, get my teammates some shots. Glad we got the win.”

Sacramento is currently in the midst of its most important stretches of the season, jockeying for position in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament, which was clinched on Tuesday evening.

At best, the Kings can be the No. 9 seed, where they currently stand one game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks. At worst, they will be the No. 10 seed.

It’s a fun time of year to be a part of.

“We know that these games mean a lot,” Carter told RG on Sunday. “We know we’re close. We’re the [ninth seed] right now, so we’re neck-and-neck with [Dallas].”

The Denver Nuggets, who on Tuesday stunningly dismissed championship head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, are next up as Sacramento looks to punch its ticket as the ninth seed in the West.

With three games remaining in the regular season, the Kings are getting hot at the right time.

Domantas Sabonis is back on the court after being shelved for most of March with hamstring and ankle ailments. His presence has opened things up for DeMar DeRozan and newcomer Zach LaVine, who have reunited in Sacramento after spending the last three seasons together with the Chicago Bulls. Sabonis’ dribble handoffs have been effective for both, and the chemistry has never looked more seamless.

Over the last two games, DeRozan and LaVine have combined to go 55-for-93 from the field against the Cavs and Detroit Pistons. They accounted for 80 points in Motown and 65 in Cleveland, blistering the net at a 59.1% clip. Sabonis recorded a triple-double on Monday night and had 27 points of his own at Rocket Arena the day before.

A Rookie Road Less Traveled

So, it’s no surprise that the Kings have found success as a team. Carter just wants to help in whichever way he can, coming off the bench to provide a spark. It starts by guarding the ball. The rest will follow as he gains more experience.

“I live with a lot of what DC does offensively as he still finds his way because he is spectacular on the defensive end,” Kings interim head coach Doug Christie told RG in a pregame press conference.

The Kings drafted Carter last summer despite him suffering a torn left labrum in a workout prior. He underwent a successful surgery in mid-July and unfortunately had to miss all of NBA Summer League, the entirety of training camp and the first couple of months of the campaign.

Carter debuted for the Stockton Kings in the G League on Dec. 28, tallying 29 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. He went 11-for-19 from the field. The following game, the rookie dropped 17 to go along with 12 boards, 7 dimes, 3 rejections and 2 takeaways. In his first two games with the team, he went 10-for-19 from deep.

“I feel like the G League games definitely helped. I hadn’t played in nine months,” Carter said.

One day after that, Carter made his NBA debut with Sacramento. He spent the next month with the big club, playing in pinches before deciding to return to Stockton in mid-February to work on some aspects of his game.

Paying His Dues, Earning His Time

“When he went down to the G League, he did the right thing,” Christie said. “I talked to Q (Quinton Jackson), their coach, and said a couple of things that I’d like him to focus on is picking up full-court guarding the best player and then learning how to run an offense, set guys up.”

In three games with Stockton, Carter’s usage was amplified to its fullest, and he took full advantage. At first, it was being aggressive as a scorer. Then, it was about being efficient and making the right plays.

He continued to put the ball in the basket and was not bashful, but he was involving his teammates and stuffing the stat sheet simultaneously. Carter averaged 29.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists, recording a steal in each contest. After that, it was off to Sacramento again.

“I think the second stint I did with the G League was really helpful because I played [three] games consistently while getting consistent run,” Carter told RG. “I think those games were very helpful for when I came back to the main squad.

This time, it was different.

“When he came back, he was really on point, and he earned all of his minutes,” Christie said. “He’s earned everything that he’s gotten from me, and I respect the hell out of that because that’s what our league is about when you’re a young player is paying your dues. He’s come in and done just a really good job. Super, super proud of the way that he’s handled things. When he came back, he’s earned all of his minutes. The things that he brings to the game, we missed him dearly.”

“It was just a confidence thing,” Carter added to RG. “Just not having really touched the ball consistently for nine months, so just getting back into a flow of things. Figuring out my spacing on the court, figuring out what angles to take. Just all the little things that I don’t get to see every day since I wasn’t doing it.”

Now a regular rotational fixture, Carter is continuing to strive toward contributing to winning. His vets have been in his ear all season long, and they’ll continue to be as they approach the Play-In Tournament.

“I feel like everybody has at some point,” Carter said.

 “I feel like the person I talk to the most as a vet is probably Jae Crowder. Obviously, Malik (Monk). Domas right here has done nothing but torture me (laughs). Nah, Domas has been great, too. We’ve got great vets all around.

“The older people on my team have been telling me just stay ready. Working out, getting extra shots up. Just doing the little things. When I check in, just bring energy. And just knowing my time will come.”