After his NBA debut was delayed by a torn left labrum, Sacramento Kings rookie Devin Carter now has a right shoulder injury that’s left him in a sling, according to Sacramento Bee reporter Chris Biderman.
Kings’ Devin Carter Sustains Untimely Injury
It’s still unclear what Carter’s exact diagnosis is. However, he sustained the injury as he attempted to pry a rebound away from Orlando Magic rising star Paolo Banchero. Notably, Banchero outweighs Carter by about 55 pounds.
Devin Carter heads to the Kings’ locker room after appearing to injure his shoulder on this play pic.twitter.com/M4vUMJNw88
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 29, 2025
The 13th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Carter has averaged just 3.8 points and 1.1 assists per game, shooting 38.8 percent from the field and 28.0 percent from the floor. Stats don’t tell the full story for any player. Nonetheless, those numbers are unimpressive by any measure. With that being said, Carter recorded 16 points, three assists, and three steals in a win against the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on March 19, putting his promising potential on display.
His energy, on-ball defense, and ability to score off-the-dribble were sensational.
Sagging Sacramento
The Kings are 36-39. Just 1.0 game ahead of the 11th-place Phoenix Suns, they need to finish the season strong in order to clinch a postseason berth. That’s not an April Fool’s joke.
Though the team has performed better under interim head coach Doug Christie (23-21) than former head coach Mike Brown (13-18) in 2024-25, they’ve been unable to find solid ground ever since De’Aaron Fox was traded.
Ironically, their decision to fire Brown is what precipitated the move. Strangely, the Kings front office was aware that this would happen.
If Fox was just a run-of-the-mill player, dismissing his concerns might be understandable. Instead, the 2023 All-NBA selection has really come into his own. In terms of sheer volume, Fox was averaging 25.0 points, 6.1 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game for the Kings this season.
Those are going to be big shoes for any one player to fill. As they now know, his replacement’s job would be even more difficult if they weren’t able to function as the primary playmaker.
Zach LaVine has put up solid numbers since Sacramento traded for him. In 25 games, he averaged 21.0 points and 3.7 assists per contest while shooting 41.4 percent from 3. However, though he’s capable of being the lead guard, he’s a true off-guard. Unfortunately for them, Malik Monk isn’t naturally inclined to be a primary facilitator either. A scoring-minded guard with upside as a passer, he’s averaged 5.5 assists to 3.5 turnovers per game since the All-Star Break.
Starter Carter?
A heady point guard that doesn’t need to score to make his impact felt, Carter’s likely the Kings’ best option at the 1.
On an individual level, his durability is more of a concern than his slow shooting start. If they wanted to promote Carter to the first unit, it would lead to some tough decision-making.
Monk is a natural sixth man but wants to be a starter. Keegan Murray, the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, could accept a bench role. Yet, he’s rediscovered his 3-point stroke, shooting 40.9 percent from deep since the All-Star Break. He’s also the starting lineup’s most reliable and versatile perimeter defender.
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