There usually aren't too many chances to swoop in and add a former lottery pick after their second season in the league. But the Denver Nuggets could have that opportunity if they decide they want to fill their 15th and final roster spot or a two-way spot with the newly released Devin Carter, after he was a casualty of the Atlanta Hawks' roster crunch, according to a league source via NBA insider Jake Fischer.
The Atlanta Hawks are waiving former lottery pick Devin Carter, according to league sources.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) September 11, 2026
Carter was the 13th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings out of Providence. But in true Kings fashion, they gave up on the former prospect early and shipped him to the Hawks this offseason for a 2033 second-round pick so they could alleviate their own salary crunch and avoid the luxury tax. Apparently, the Hawks just wanted the draft capital. They'll eat Carter's $5.1 million salary for 2026-27 as long as he clears waivers, and they'll still remain under the luxury tax threshold.
The Nuggets should swoop in for Carter for his defensive upside
If Carter clears waivers, he'll be eligible for either a minimum contract or a two-way contract. The Nuggets just so happen to have a 15th roster spot and a two-way spot available, so there's space for the 24-year-old to bring his defensive upside to the Nuggets' backup point guard spot.
Coming out of Providence, the scouting reports on the 6-foot-2, 195-pound guard described him as an extremely quick lateral defender who was excellent in point-of-attack defense and played with a high motor and loads of intensity. Carter averaged 1.8 steals in both his sophomore and junior seasons, as well as 1.1 and 1.0 blocks. While he never got real playing time with the Kings, his per-36-minute numbers translated to 1.9 and 1.7 steals. Clearly, defense is a strong suit, and that upside should still be there.
However, Carter is a poor shooter and not really what you would call a floor general. The Nuggets' current backup point guard, Tyus Jones, is more suited to take on that role.
The Nuggets should try to land Carter on a two-way contract
If the Nuggets can get Carter on a two-way contract, it could be a steal given his lottery pick upside. It would make much more sense for the Nuggets to fill their final two-way spot with Carter rather than having him sign a minimum contract.
The Nuggets could make it more difficult for themselves to shed salary via a trade to avoid the NBA's second apron penalty threshold, and it would potentially set them up for a large tax fine on an unproven project.
But on a two-way contract? It's a no-brainer move.
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