Providence Friars guard Devin Carter is one of the players who has improved his reputation the most during the pre-draft process so far.
Carter is one of the most NBA-ready, versatile prospects in this class and he is potentially ready to make a positive impact right away once he turns pro. Although he is already one of the older players among those projected in the first round, Carter would fit in very well on a team looking to win sooner than later.
In our first 2024 NBA mock draft after the lottery, we had Carter heading to the New York Knicks because we felt that he was an ideal fit with head coach Tom Thibodeau. But in the latest mock draft from The Ringer, NBA writer Kevin O’Connor had the Big East Player of the Year going much higher.
Here is what he wrote about Carter, who may have received a “promise” from a team selecting in the lottery of the 2024 NBA Draft:
“League sources say that Devin Carter has received a promise somewhere in the lottery. Could that team be the Bulls? Carter would be a great fit next to Coby White as a lockdown defender who can thrive with or without the ball on offense. Plus, DeMar DeRozan could leave in free agency, where he would fit with the Clippers if Paul George were to sign elsewhere, so there’d be an immediate minutes void that Carter could fill.”
His max vertical leap (42″) and standing vertical leap (35″) were both among the best among all participants at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine.
Not only was his lane agility elite but the junior also recorded the fastest three-quarter sprint (2.87 seconds) in the history of the NBA Draft Combine. Carter is able to use that speed and bounciness while playing on both ends of the floor, which will help his game translate to the next level even if he is a bit undersized.
He also measured with a wingspan six and a half inches longer than his height, which adds context to how he was able to become such a productive player on defense.
Perhaps he may be a bit redundant for Chicago with Alex Caruso already on the roster, but no team could ever have too many stellar defenders.
Make sure you check out our newest post-lottery mock draft, along with the official full draft order post-lottery. You can also read or watch our new interview with Carter.
