Devin Carter Waived
Atlanta Hawks Waive Guard Devin Carter Following Recent Offseason Trade
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Key Points
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Atlanta acquired Devin Carter on June 29 along with Sacramento’s 2033 second-round pick; the Kings received the draft rights to Alpha Kaba, the No. 60 pick in the 2017 draft, in a move that helped Sacramento get below the NBA’s second apron.
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Carter’s NBA debut was delayed until January 2025 because of left shoulder surgery, while ankle, back and calf problems disrupted his second season. He started only 12 of his 74 games with Sacramento and shot 40.1% from the field, 27.4% from three-point range and 67.4% at the free-throw line.
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Carter showed a notable late-season scoring surge, averaging 19.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists over a three-game stretch in late March and scoring a team-high 24 points against the Indiana Pacers.
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Atlanta’s perimeter logjam extended beyond the players mentioned in the summary: the Hawks also added Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort from Oklahoma City and already had Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Buddy Hield alongside their other guards.
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Carter’s contract includes a $7.37 million team option for 2027-28, which Atlanta had until Oct. 31 to exercise; the deadline to waive him and stretch his 2026-27 salary across future seasons had already passed on Aug. 29.
The Atlanta Hawks waived guard Devin Carter on Monday, cutting the 24-year-old just days before training camp after acquiring him from Sacramento in an offseason salary-dump trade. MassLive reported the Celtics are already circling, eyeing Carter for either a roster spot or a two-way contract slot. The move solved Atlanta's roster crunch—they had 17 players against a 15-player limit—but left Carter in limbo with $5.1 million guaranteed and uncertain NBA footing.
Why Atlanta Dumped a Lottery Pick So Fast
The Hawks weren't giving up on Carter's talent. They faced a backcourt traffic jam after adding Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort from Oklahoma City alongside Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Buddy Hield. HoopsWire reported that Atlanta still had 16 players after the waive, signaling the crunch extended deeper than one guard. Waiving Carter before camp avoided a harder decision: exercising a $7.37 million team option next October.
Carter's Injury-Plagued First Two Seasons With Sacramento
The No. 13 overall pick in 2024 missed his entire rookie year after left shoulder surgery, not stepping on court until January 2025. Once healthy, ankle, back, and calf problems kept him sidelined. Over 74 games across two seasons, Carter averaged 8.9 points and 2.7 assists while shooting just 27.4% from three-point range—a massive red flag for a guard. He started only 12 of those contests, limiting his chance to prove himself as a reliable rotation piece.
A Late-Season Flash That Raised Questions
Carter's final stretch with Sacramento hinted at hidden upside. Over three games in late March, he averaged 19.3 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting much cleaner. He dropped 24 points against Indiana—a team-high—suggesting offensive potential when healthy and playing big minutes. NugGlove noted that Denver and other contenders saw two-way slot value in a reclamation project carrying no long-term commitment risk.
Boston Leads the Chase for Waiver-Wire Guard
The Celtics are the reported frontrunner to claim Carter after waivers clear. Boston covets his defensive upside and can stash him on a two-way deal without taxing its roster. CelticsBlog highlighted that Atlanta remains on the hook for Carter's full $5.1 million salary regardless of where he lands—making him a low-risk swing for any team hunting perimeter depth. Unrestricted free agency follows if no team claims him by the waiver deadline.
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