Kings General Manager Monte McNair defends Devin Carter’s draft decision.
The Sacramento Kings got a steal with the 13th pick, but supporters were dissatisfied.
The Sacramento Kings began day one of the 2024 NBA Draft by selecting Providence Friars guard Devin Carter with the 13th overall choice. While some fans are sceptical of the choice to bring in another guard, Carter is a unique talent who could potentially be the steal of the selection in the late lottery.
Monte McNair, the Kings’ general manager, explained the draft decision to the media (via @MattGeorgeSAC / X):
“We recognise the necessity of roster balance. Not just across positions, but across skill sets, and we’re at the start of the summer, when we’ll be able to continue to shape the roster, but as I’ve repeatedly stated during the draft, the draft isn’t about right now. The draft is about adding someone to our team who will be around for a long time, and we attempt to select the best player available. We are looking for versatile men. Devin Carter, for example, checks every box.
If you saw the playoffs this year, I’d say there are a lot of Devin Carters… We understand the rest of the roster and what we’ll need to do there, but tonight was all about that.”
McNair and the Kings’ choice to sign Carter was excellent and the best fit for their “best player available” strategy, but he made it obvious that their offseason is far from complete. With seven rotational guards on the roster, decisions must be made ahead of the regular season.
Carter, 22, is a dynamic guard who can handle it all. The 6-foot-2 guard plays bigger than his stature, averaging 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game during his final season at Providence.
Fans can envision a backcourt featuring Carter and Keon Ellis coming off the bench to punish opposing guards on defence. While many were angry that McNair chose a guard, fans should be ecstatic that a talent like Carter dropped to the 13th pick and Sacramento received the draft’s steal.