The Atlanta Hawks added guard Devin Carter and a second-round pick from the Sacramento Kings in a trade announced this week. Carter entered the league as the No. 13 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and is now entering his third season after two years of limited NBA minutes. While the Hawks did not make a flurry of headline-grabbing moves, this acquisition gives them a player with upside and a contract that keeps them financially flexible.
Carter’s biggest asset is his athleticism and his ability to attack the rim. He uses a sturdy upper body and an explosive first step to finish through contact against both smaller and stronger defenders. Those bursts of production demonstrate the upside a physically gifted guard can bring to a bench roster. His knack for getting two feet in the paint mirrors the style of play that head coach Quin Snyder has praised in other young guards on the team.
The numbers, however, underscore a clear area for improvement. Over his first two seasons Carter shot a combined 27.4 % from three-point range and dipped to 26.3 % in his most recent campaign. On a Hawks squad that consistently emphasizes three-point shooting, that efficiency sits well below the team’s standard and will need to rise for Carter to secure a regular role. Improving his perimeter shooting will be essential if he hopes to stay on the floor alongside the team’s established shooters.
Defensively, Carter mirrors the hustle that the Hawks value. He rebounds at a rate higher than most guards and uses his athletic frame to contest shots and generate transition opportunities. The only other Hawks guard with a comparable ability to finish at the rim is Dyson Daniels, whose two-foot paint work has earned praise from the coaching staff. Carter’s defensive energy could therefore complement the team’s fast-break rhythm and add depth to the backcourt.
Carter is not projected as a primary ball-handler, so his best fit may be alongside established perimeter threats such as CJ McCollum or Kington Fleming. By surrounding him with reliable shooters, the Hawks can give him space to operate while he works on his three-point consistency. Training camp will be his proving ground: improve shooting, maintain defensive intensity, and carve out a defined bench role that adds athletic depth to Atlanta’s roster.
