Kings Move Former Lottery Pick Devin Carter in Tax-Cutting Hawks Deal

The Sacramento Kings agreed Monday, June 29, 2026, to trade guard Devin Carter and a future second-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks, according to reports cited by ESPN's Shams Charania and Jake Fischer. The move sends a 24-year-old former lottery pick to a crowded Atlanta backcourt while giving Sacramento a cleaner path toward trimming salary.

For the Kings, this is less about a splashy roster upgrade and more about financial pressure after Carter's uneven two seasons in Sacramento. For Atlanta, the deal adds a young guard and Sacramento's 2033 second-round pick without a major outgoing piece identified in the available reporting.

The Full Story

Sacramento selected Carter with the No. 13 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but his start in the league never really settled into a clean rhythm. Hoops Rumors reported that his NBA debut was delayed by left shoulder surgery, and NBC Sports noted that shoulder surgery pushed his debut back to January 2025.

Across two seasons with the Kings, Carter appeared in 74 regular-season games, including 12 starts, while averaging 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 14.8 minutes per game. His overall shooting line, listed by Hoops Rumors as .401/.274/.674, explains part of why he struggled to hold down a bigger role in a league that asks guards to stretch defenses.

The trade also includes Sacramento's 2033 second-round pick, according to Jake Fischer's reporting cited by Hoops Rumors and Sports Illustrated. That detail matters because it makes the transaction look like a salary-driven move rather than a traditional player-for-player deal.

Sports Illustrated framed the deal as part of the Kings' broader offseason makeover, noting that Carter was in and out of the rotation and closed the season stronger than he began it. The same report said the trade frees up playing time in Sacramento's backcourt for rookies Darius Acuff Jr. and Emanuel Sharp.

Key Figures

Devin Carter is the central figure: a 24-year-old, 6-foot-2 guard and former 2024 lottery pick now headed to Atlanta. His new opportunity comes after a Sacramento stint shaped by injury delays, limited minutes and uneven outside shooting.

The Sacramento Kings are the team moving Carter and the future pick. Available reporting describes the deal as a way to get off Carter's contract as Sacramento looks to move away from luxury tax territory.

The Atlanta Hawks are receiving Carter and the 2033 second-rounder. Yahoo Sports listed Atlanta's backcourt as including Nickeil Alexander-Walker, CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels and rookie Kingston Flemings, which means Carter arrives in a group that already has several guards competing for minutes.

Shams Charania and Jake Fischer are the reporters tied to the deal details across the cited reports. Charania was cited for the trade agreement, while Fischer was cited for the 2033 second-round pick detail.

Facts & Figures

Carter was the No. 13 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, a slot that typically brings real developmental expectations. Two years later, Sacramento is moving him with a second-rounder attached, which shows how quickly roster math can change when a young player does not secure a steady rotation role.

His 2025-26 numbers were stronger than his two-year averages. CBS Sports reported Carter averaged a career-high 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 0.9 steals in 18.4 minutes across 38 appearances last season. Sports Illustrated listed the same scoring, rebounding and assist averages while adding that he shot 41.4% from the field and 26.3% from three.

The contract explains the timing. Yahoo Sports listed Carter at $5.1 million for 2026-27 and $7.3 million for 2027-28, while Hoops Rumors reported a guaranteed $5.16 million salary next season and a $7.37 million option for 2027-28.

What This Means

For Carter, Atlanta is a fresh start, but not an open runway. NBC Sports said the move is unlikely to shift his fantasy outlook because the Hawks also used a lottery pick on Kingston Flemings. That is a basketball way of saying the opportunity is real, but the minutes are not automatic.

For Kings fans, the harder part is the symbolism. Carter was a lottery pick only two drafts ago, and Sports Illustrated pointed out that Sacramento now appears to be prioritizing tax flexibility and backcourt space over waiting longer on his development.

For NBA fans in the U.S., this is the kind of offseason move that rarely dominates national conversation but still shapes a team's direction. Small salary moves can affect luxury-tax positioning, roster spots and whether young players get enough court time to prove they belong.

What to Expect

The biggest confirmed date attached to Carter's situation is October 31, 2026. Hoops Rumors reported that his new team must decide by then on his 2027-28 option.

The Hawks' next decision is practical: keep Carter as backcourt depth, trade him later, or release him after the deal is finalized. Hoops Rumors also reported Atlanta could take on his salary through either the bi-annual exception or a trade exception from the Clint Capela sign-and-trade, with that exception expiring July 6.

FAQ

Who did the Kings trade Devin Carter to?

The Kings reportedly traded Devin Carter to the Atlanta Hawks along with a future second-round NBA draft pick.

What pick is Atlanta getting from Sacramento?

Reports cited Jake Fischer saying Atlanta is getting Sacramento's 2033 second-round pick in the deal.

Why did Sacramento trade Devin Carter?

Available reporting describes the move as salary-driven, with Sacramento trying to move away from luxury tax territory and open more backcourt minutes.

What were Devin Carter's stats with the Kings?

Across two seasons, Carter averaged 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 74 regular-season games.

How much is Devin Carter owed?

Reports list Carter at about $5.1 million guaranteed for 2026-27, with a 2027-28 option reported around $7.3 million.

Will Devin Carter have a bigger role with the Hawks?

That is not confirmed. Atlanta already has several guards, including Nickeil Alexander-Walker, CJ McCollum, Dyson Daniels and rookie Kingston Flemings.