Guard Jevon Carter has become an important part of the Milwaukee Bucks second-unit, setting a career high last year in minutes played (22.3) and points scored (8.0) last season.
He’s now at a career crossroads. Carter, entering his sixth season as a pro, can accept his player option and collect $2.24 million from the Bucks or try to find a better deal in free agency.
The Bucks are already looking at potentially losing stars Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez to free agency this summer. The Bucks won the NBA title in 2021 and feature superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and remain a favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook to win the NBA title this year, but a lot of things change in the NBA every day. The Nuggets, Heat, Lakers and Celtics all remain strong contenders in the NBA in addition to the Bucks.
Carter may not be a household name in the NBA, but he’s the type of quality rotational player that championship teams rely on.
The Carter File
Carter was a second-round pick of the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2018 Draft out of West Virginia. He played 39 games for Memphis before being included in a deal with the Suns along with Kyle Korver.
Carter played with the Suns for two years before being traded to Brooklyn for Landry Shamet. The Nets waived him and he signed with the Bucks in 2022. He played well in the 2022 playoffs as a reserve point guard.
List in order of who guards the toughest defensive matchups in the NBA + defended FG% against:
1. Dillon Brooks—42.8%
2. Tucker—45.6%
3. Jevon Carter—41.1%
4. Finney-Smith—49.0%
5. Jrue—45.2%
6. Dort—48.6%
7. Anunoby—44.9%
8. Pat Williams—51.4%
9. Avdija—46.4%
10. Caruso—49.6% pic.twitter.com/uMXl2HBGQb— NBA University (@NBA_University) December 1, 2022
Running The Show
A compact 6-foot-1, Carter is known for his on-the-ball defense, a Milwaukee trademark, but last season he became an offensive weapon. Carter shot 42 percent from three-point land in 2023, ranking twelfth in the NBA. He started 39 games, usually to spell Jrue Holiday and had a career high 36 in a win over Oklahoma City in November.
With the Bucks offense predicated on creating space to allow Antetokounmpo to drive and do his thing, Carter would seem to fit in. The beauty of Antetokounmpo is he generates open looks and NBA teams need guys who can knock down open shots.
The Bucks won the Eastern Conference, but were upset by Miami 4-1 in the first round. Carter did not have a great series. He had five points in three games and didn’t play in the final two. After the disappointing finish, the Bucks fired coach Mike Budenholzer and hired Adrian Griffin.
The Carter Market
Carter has already played for four teams in the NBA and may want to settle down in Milwaukee and establish some roots. For the Bucks, the upside is that he knows the system and seems to fit in well. He also comes at a low cost.
However, the Bucks just drafted Andre Jackson Jr. out of U. Conn with the 36th overall pick in the draft. He’s a pass-first shoot-not-as-well guard, but his size and defense makes him a potential replacement for Carter.
It’s a familiar story for Carter, who probably believes he can start and play for teams elsewhere in the NBA, or be a back-up for more money. The Bucks may want to keep Carter around for consistency and team chemistry, especially if Lopez and/or Middleton walk. But the final decision belongs to Carter. Players usually bet on themselves that they can find a better home.
