Devin Carter’s lone preseason appearance was enough to impress the Celtics, apparently. According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Carter’s Exhibit 10 training camp deal is being converted to a two-way contract.
The former Providence College standout wasted
no time making an impression last Thursday in Clevleand in the preseason opener. He gave the Cavs the work. Carter poured in 17 points, ripped down five rebounds, dished five assists, and swiped two steals in 25 minutes off the bench.
This wasn’t just the typical “guy who’s been in the league a few years feasts on inexperienced players in the preseason” type of statlines, either. Carter balled out against the Cavaliers’ regular rotation, and did it in a way where it’s not hard to imagine him making an impact for Boston somewhere down the line.
He pushed the pace in transition, did a great job of getting himself to the rim, and used his gratiutous six-foot-nine-inch wingspan to create chaos on defense.
Many fans were left wanting more, but unfortunately didn’t get it. Carter missed the final three games of Boston’s preseason slate with an illness, and was never heard from again.
His future with the team felt murky after the rest of the Celtics’ Exhibit 10 players got the start in Friday’s preseason finale against the Phildelphia 76ers and held their own against Philly’s regular starters (minus VJ Edgecombe).
Murky no more.
The former 13th overall pick spent his first two NBA seasons with the Sacramento Kings. He appeared in 74 total games where he averaged 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 40.1% from the field and 27.4% from deep.
Sacramento traded Carter along with a second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks this summer, officially finalizing their stamp of disapproval — which we’ve all learned is actually a good thing (thanks for Neemi). The Hawks waived Carter shortly after, then he found his way to Boston.
The Celtics now have all three of their two-way spots filled as Carter joins Dillon Mitchell and Amari Williams in the G-League swing crew. This doesn’t necessarily mean all three players will remain on two-ways for the entire season. Boston can waive any of them at any time free up a slot.
By converting Carter to a two-way, rather than a standard contract, Boston avoids creeping any closer to the luxury tax threshold. They remain $1.7 million below the tax line.
