Carter 'can fit anywhere' with NBA Draft approaching
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It’s a safe assumption that former West Virginia point guard Jevon Carter will be in the NBA next year. Just when and where will he be drafted is the question.
Carter was one of the standouts of the combine held in Chicago last week with Sam Vecenie of The Fieldhouse with The Athletic even going as far as saying he was one of the best players to play 5-on-5 during the course of the event. But if you’ve followed his career, it didn’t really come as a surprise.
“He’s one of the best competitors I’ve ever watched play basketball in terms of energy, constant motion and the desire to steal the heart of his opponent,” he said. “He was ridiculous in terms of how he made life miserable for opposing guards.”
One of the best, if not the best, perimeter defenders in the draft, Carter plays with a toughness and is a consistent leader on the floor. Equipped with quick hands and a desire to defend he simply brings it on that end of the floor every single night which is attractive to teams.
While Carter didn’t measure well and isn’t a ridiculous athlete he simply is a basketball player that should find a home with an NBA club for the reasons above as well as how he is the type of locker room presence that can only help teams.
“He’s a guy that NBA players are going to love to play with because he brings it every single night and they’re going to enjoy their team taking him because it means they aren’t going to have to go against him four nights a year or two nights a year,” Vecenie said.
As for where Carter could fall into the draft June 21, Vecenie believes that he could start to receive looks as early as 25 and could potentially fall down to 45. That isn’t a knock on his skill set, but more of an indication that teams know what they will be getting with him.
“He’s not going to be a superstar type of player but you know he’s going to be a useful, valuable piece for you moving forward,” Vecenie said.
Carter isn’t the most talkative player which leads to Vecenie wondering how he interviewed with prospective teams, still that also plays into his persona as a junkyard dog on the defensive end.
“He’s all about his game and cares about being the best basketball player he can be,” he said.
As far as comparisons, the common one is Patrick Beverly but if he doesn’t reach the same offensive consistency with his shooting as him Carter also could project like Matt Dellavedova. Or basically as a valuable backup point guard in the NBA that could serve as a key piece to a team.
As for potential team fits Vecenie believes that Philadelphia could be one depending on what happens with TJ McConnell in the coming years, while Boston is another team that values perimeter defense and has contract decisions to make with Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier in the coming years.
Golden State has been a team that values having their guards challenged in practice and it wouldn’t be crazy to see that pick at No. 28 being a possibility while Atlanta, Memphis, Phoenix and Dallas also fit the bill as teams that are going to need backup point guards.
“The thing about energy guys like Jevon Carter is that it translates so well to the locker room and he can fit anywhere,” he said. “Every team wants a guy like that on their roster.”
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