There is no surefire way to make it in the modern NBA. Phenoms are still drafted right out of college, but in recent years the league has seen more and more unsung and overlooked players move up the ranks. For an example within the Boston Celtics, look no further than center Neemias Queta.
The 7-footer was drafted late in the second round by the Sacramento Kings in 2021. Two years later, he was cut and in danger of falling out of the Association. The Celtics gave him a second chance, though, signing him to a two-way contract in September of 2023. The Lisbon, Portugal native ran with this newfound opportunity, eventually playing his way on to the main roster and starting for the majority of the 2025-26 regular season. His hard work was rewarded
again this offseason, as the 27-year-old agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract extension with the C's in early July. Now Celtics guard Devin Carter hopes to follow this difficult, yet worthwhile journey.
Like Queta, Carter was selected by the Kings — except he was a first-round pick who went thirteenth overall in 2024. The Providence College standout struggled to find his footing in Sacramento, and the Kings decided to trade him to the Atlanta Hawks in late June. The Hawks then waived Carter, jeopardizing the 24-year-old's NBA career.
However, the Celtics reached out to Carter and signed him to an Exhibit 10 deal. And while the 2024 Big East Player of the Year isn't on a standard contract with the Green Team, he will be able to compete for a two-way deal in preseason and has already made the most of his lucky break so far. Carter dropped 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists off the bench on Thursday night during a 124-113 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
He attacked 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley without fear and repeatedly crashed the offensive glass. Carter's defense was up to the challenge too, perhaps reminding Celtics fans of Queta, another preseason standout from years ago.
Neemias Queta on the day he got cut by the Kings and if it motivates him:
— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) January 31, 2026
“It changed everything…I’m really glad Boston stepped up (and got me).”
“Definitely,” he said about using it as a source of motivation. pic.twitter.com/AucS2Zdxnd
"It’s just a new opportunity," Carter said of joining the Celtics, via Celtics on CLNS. "I don’t want to dwell on the past too much. I talked to Neemi a little bit because we had kind of the same route, you could say. We went from (Sacramento), to getting waived, to (the) Celtics. So, talked to Neemi a little bit. But, like I said, just trying to focus on the future and be where my feet are at the time.”
Whether or not the Kings gifted the Celtics another rotation player remains to be seen, but Carter will have three more preseason games (as well as multiple practices and film sessions) to prove his worth in Boston. His next shot arrives on Saturday night when the Celtics host the rival Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: From the Kings to the Commonwealth: Devin Carter on following path to Boston Queta blazed
