The Sacramento Kings are still interested in signing Russell Westbrook, which would force them to make another move that could potentially benefit the Detroit Pistons.
Marc Stein reported that the Kings were still in on Westbrook, saying:
“As we've been reporting since July, Sacramento is known to have real interest in signing Westbrook but has maintained throughout the offseason that its preference is to move out a guard (with Devin Carter believed to be the most available King) before adding the former MVP.”
The Kings haven’t made a smart move in a long time and this another head-scratcher, as they’d be giving up on a cost-controlled former 13th pick in the draft for 36-year-old Westbrook, who is hardly going to make a difference in whether the Kings are good next season.
But the Kings are gonna King, which could make Devin Carter available. Carter is a tenacious on-the-ball defender who can guard up from his 6-foot-2 size because of his strength and 6-foot-8 wingspan.
He was limited by a shoulder injury last season, but did have a couple of good games, scoring 16 points with five rebounds and three assists against the Cavs late in the season.
Carter is an interesting target with potential upside on a favorable contract, so would the Detroit Pistons be interested?
Detroit Pistons rotation: Is there anything for Devin Carter?
At first glance, the Pistons roster is more or less set with nine players who are going to eat up the bulk of the minutes.
Guys like Marcus Sasser, Paul Reed and Chaz Lanier will be fighting for the scraps that are left, and it’s debatable whether Carter is an upgrade from either of those two guards.
Carter was a true two-way threat coming out of college, but he isn’t a natural point guard who looks to facilitate more than score. Carter was never a big assist man in college, but he was an excellent rebounder for the position and shot the ball at a decent clip from long range.
Given his defensive versatility, he’d fit in with the ethos of the Pistons, but as of right now, there wouldn’t be any guaranteed minutes for him, and the Pistons may want to leave that final roster spot open to be more flexible at the trade deadline.
Someone is going to take a flyer on Carter’s upside, as this was a lottery pick just a year ago and hasn’t gotten a chance to show what he can do.
Much like with Marcus Sasser and the Pistons, the Kings have until the end of October to pick up Carter’s team option for the 2026-27 season, so if the Kings are going to make a move, it will need to be soon.
It’s doubtful the Pistons get involved, but Carter offers a low risk/high reward opportunity to land a former lottery pick for practically nothing.