Frontrunner emerges to sign former lottery pick in free agency
The Atlanta Hawks surprisingly waived former lottery pick Devin Carter on Friday, and it sounds like the Boston Celtics are interested in signing the promising elite defensive combo guard once he clears waivers.
The gritty, high-motor 6'2" guard has a 6'9" wingspan, which allows him to disrupt opposing ball-handlers and to crash the boards and otherwise play fierce, competitive defense. He would do quite well in the Celtics' system under head coach Joe Mazzulla.
The Celtics, however, are just $1.7 million below the luxury tax, so it would have to be a two-way contract. Carter may still be able to land a one-way deal with another team, which could shut Boston out.
His offense is a work in progress, but he showed some serious flashes in limited minutes with the Sacramento Kings, who made him the 13th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
A career night for Devin Carter!
— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2026
29 PTS (career-high)
9 REB (career-high)
4 AST
2 STL
6 3PM
Kings win at home 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3gMw7sXw0Q
Carter was dealt to the Hawks earlier this summer after playing his first two seasons with the Kings, along with a second-round pick in a salary dump for Sacramento. The Hawks then had to cut ties before he even suited up for them due to a roster crunch.
With a $5.1 million contract for this season, he'll almost certainly clear waivers next week and become an unrestricted free agent.
The 24-year-old averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes during 38 games played for the Sacramento Kings last season. If he can improve his shot, the youngster could be a steal for whichever team takes a shot on him.