Spurs Prospect Preview: Devin Carter

06/14/2024 09:00 AM

The Spurs could be interested in the veteran guard who reportedly has a draft promise in the lottery.

Almost every year there is a player who receives a "promise" in the NBA Draft. This happens when a team informs a player they will be selecting them (if they are available when they pick.) This year it seems that a prospect has a promise in the lottery.

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported that Providence guard, Devin Carter, received a promise by a team selecting in the top-14. That has led to speculation that said team is the San Antonio Spurs, who are rumored to be high on Carter. These are just rumors at the moment, but it shouldn't be surprising that the Spurs like Carter. He brings a mixture of skills San Antonio values at a position of need.

Carter is a 22-year-old Junior guard from Providence who is coming off the best season of his career. Carter beat out other college basketball stars like Donovan Clingan, Stephon Castle and Tyler Kolek for Big East Player of the Year. After one of Providence's leading scorers, Bryce Hopkins, went down with an injury, Carter was thrust into a leading role and excelled in it. Despite not making the NCAA Tournament, Carter kept the Friars feisty all season.

Carter is a hard nosed, defensive guard who displayed some shooting ability this season. He likely gets a lot of his work ethic from his father, Anthony Carter, who was a torchbearer of toughness for the Miami Heat for many years, and played for 13 seasons in the NBA (including 5 games with the Spurs in the 2003-04 season). If the Spurs do take Carter, they'll be getting a tough guard who could space the floor next to Victor Wembanyama.

Devin Carter, 6-foot-3 guard, Providence

2023-2024 stats: 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 47.3% FG, 37.7% 3PT, 74.9% FT, 56.4% eFG

Player comparison: Marcus Smart

Strengths

Carter is well known for his defensive ability. He's a strong, physical defender at the point of attack who disrupts opposing ball handlers. While he's only 6-foot-3, his 6-foot-8.75 inch wingspan allows him to play bigger than he is. He has good lateral quickness, length and instincts to create turnovers both on and off the ball. He averaged 1.8 steals a game this season with a 2.9% steal rate.

His defensive value doesn't stop at his frame and skill. He's an absolute dog on the floor. Carter played 35.3 minutes per game this season (there are 40 min in a college game) and all of them were hard. He was given primary duties on both ends of the floor and thrived while playing big minutes. He competes physically on the interior and chases after offensive boards. His rebounding is impressive for a guard, grabbing 8.7 a game with 1 offensive board per game.

But Carter isn't one of those players that makes up for subpar athleticism with grit. He's a great athlete, too. Carter was one of the standouts at this year's Draft Combine, where he tied for the best vertical leap at 42-inches, ran the fastest three-quarter court sprint (2.87 seconds) and finished top-three in the lane agility test (10.63 seconds.)

That athleticism is apparent on film. Carter is a joy to watch on the break. If he gets a steal, he's able to get to the other end quickly for a dunk. He has a quick first step that allows him to aggressively attack closeouts or gaps in the defense. He uses his strength and athleticism to score over and around smaller guards at the rim where he finished 65.9% of the time last season. He can soar above defenses for rebounds or lob dunks. His explosiveness will be a major weapon at the next level.

Coming into the season, Carter's shooting would have been viewed as a weakness. In his first two seasons of college ball, he shot below 30% from deep. Carter has an unorthodox push shot. Think Tyrese Haliburton but with more lift from his lower body. Mechanics be damned, the ball went in for him this season. Carter shot 37.7% on 6.8 attempts per game. He showed flashes of shooting the ball from DEEP range (I'm talking clutch shots at the logo) and off the dribble. He's most consistent when he can catch and shoot (40.2% from three.) He shot just 34% from deep off dribble jumpers and only 30.8% off screens. Scouts will be mixed on how Carter's shot translates to the next level. If his progression to date is any indication, he will likely only improve as a shooter.

Weaknesses

Carter is a hard prospect to poke holes in. There are the obvious criticisms, like his age. However, I see that as a strength rather than a weakness. Carter will bring a level of basketball IQ and composure that other younger rookies may lack, and given how much he's already improved, it seems like there is still untapped potential in him.

However, Carter doesn't seem like the type of player who will be a primary scorer and playmaker at the next level. Carter has a fine handle, but it's not a particularly creative one. He showed flashes of shot creation, but didn't shoot particularly well off the dribble. He made just 28.8% on non-rim two-point attempts. His best shots came in spot up situations, in transition and on straight line drives.

He also doesn't profile as a high-usage point guard. He had a 3.6 to 2.7 assist-to-turnover ratio last season due to frequent errant passes. It's not that Carter is a bad passer, he's a good lob thrower in transition and showed some poise in the pick and roll. He had a 23.2 assist rate which is darn good. The turnovers occur too much for Carter to be someone you hand the keys to an offense right away.

At this stage, Carter is best as a three-and-D guard/wing hybrid who plays off the ball, and handles some play initiating. Casting him as a lead playmaker at this stage of his development would be a mistake.

Spurs fit

Carter checks a lot of boxes for the Spurs. He can defend at the point of attack, space the floor, play in transition and guard multiple positions. They wouldn't need Carter to dominate the ball as their system calls for ball and player movement. He'd provide them with a Marcus Smart or Derrick White type of guard who doesn't need the ball in his hands to be impactful.

He would thrive with the Spurs up-tempo play style. Carter, Wembanyama, Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan would be so much fun in transition. He'd further solidify the Spurs improving defensive personnel and bring a hard nosed attitude while doing so. If we've learned anything from the NBA Playoffs, it's that having multiple players who can dribble, pass, shoot and defend is going to give teams a distinct advantage. Carter would help the Spurs build that type of roster.

He most likely is not the long-term answer at point guard. The Spurs would still need to find a player who can handle the bulk of ball-handling responsibilities and a reliable pick and roll partner for Wembanyama. Carter would be a nice supplemental piece, and if he hits his ceiling, would be an awesome second guard on a playoff team. He should be firmly in the conversation for the Spurs eight-overall selection.

Previous Prospects:

Rob Dillingham

Reed Sheppard

Nikola Topic

Zaccharie Risacher

Stephon Castle

Tidjane Salaun

Ron Holland

Matas Buzelis