Monday, the Boston Celtics reportedly agreed to a deal with Devin Carter, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
The Boston Celtics and Devin Carter have agreed to a deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Carter will compete for an NBA roster or two-way spot in camp. Carter averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes during 38 games for the Sacramento Kings last season. pic.twitter.com/eo4U82bCg2
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 14, 2026
This was a topic explored here the moment the Atlanta Hawks waived the former 13th overall pick on Friday. The former Providence star returns to New England on an Exhibit 10 deal.
Carter's arrival strengthens the case to start Payton Pritchard. One of the primary arguments against it is that it creates too much reliance on Mike Conley, who turns 39 in October. With another point guard and possession maxxer in the fold, that part of the pitch goes out the window.
Devin Carter's addition helps Payton Pritchard's starting chances
With Conley and Carter coming off the bench, Joe Mazzulla wouldn't even have to short-shift Pritchard or Derrick White. He could lean on the former two for modest stretches, extended if earned, to help manage the rotation.
More often than that, Boston can and likely will deploy lineups with several wings on the floor; another dent in the case to keep Pritchard in a sixth-man role.
Yes, he would strengthen the second unit. And be featured more while coming off the bench, compared to sharing the floor with Jayson Tatum, White, and Paul George. However, those opportunities will still exist, and he's excellent alongside Tatum. Furthermore, Pritchard will either put White in his optimal role off-ball or give the rest of the first unit a lethal catch-and-shoot option to kick it out to.
P is MONEY 💰 pic.twitter.com/RXtTdvPZXM
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 27, 2026
No matter the arrangement, the Celtics' new addition makes it easier for Boston to start the game with its most impactful players on the court.
The Celtics' ideal path for Devin Carter
Ideally, the third-year guard gets his Exhibit 10 deal converted to a two-way contract before the start of the 2026-27 season.
The reason is that it will help keep Boston below the luxury tax. The franchise is currently $1.7 million below that threshold. The organization has a chance to reset the repeater tax and create crucial future flexibility to help keep a contending team intact. Finishing this league year under that line is an ideal, and likely, outcome.
Even on a two-way deal, Carter can appear in 50 NBA games. That's plenty for an option that is among several ways to manage the lineup with Pritchard in the first unit.
Plus, when the time is right and they can remain below the luxury tax, the Celtics can convert his deal to a standard NBA contract. Then he can become a full-time option behind Pritchard.
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