Devin Carter may end up making a little Celtics history before he ever plays a meaningful minute in Boston.
The former Providence guard is wearing No. 99, a number that has barely existed in the Celtics universe. Only seven players have worn it for the franchise, and none of them were guards.
The list includes Tacko Fall, Jae Crowder, Roy Rogers, Darko Milicic, and Justin Champagnie. Boston also had Chris Boucher and Charles Bassey in No. 99 last season.
There were others who may have worn it in training camp, but if they didn’t make the roster, their run in double nines never became official.
That leaves Carter with a chance to become the first Celtics guard to wear No. 99.
He’s in Boston on an Exhibit 10 deal, but that opportunity makes sense for him. The Celtics have built a strong reputation for player development, especially when it comes to helping shooters improve. Derrick White, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Ron Harper Jr. are part of that track record, and Dillon Mitchell could join the group if Summer League was any indication.
If Carter develops into a dependable three-point shooter, he has a path to becoming a rotation player. Even now, though, he brings a useful base.
He’s a possession maxxer who posted nearly 2.0 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes in each of his first two NBA seasons. His athleticism still jumps off the page at this level, and his game is built on effort and energy.
He’s a relentless defender who can generate steals, take charges, and blitz ball handlers when he gets close enough.
His deal also means he could wind up in the same category as the other Celtics whose time in No. 99 never lasted to the regular season. Still, in this author’s opinion, Carter is the favorite to land Boston’s final two-way contract and become the eighth player - and the first guard - to wear that number for the Celtics.
If he doesn’t get that spot, Milos Uzan is the other name to watch.
Uzan and Carter are both 24-year-old guards, but Uzan brings a different package. He’s six-foot-four, two inches taller than Carter, and the former Houston Cougar is the better shooter. He’s also a smart player, a turnover suppressor, and a strong defender.
Carter remains the favorite in the battle for the roster spot. But if Uzan gets the nod, then Boston would once again be handing out one of its rarest jersey numbers. No. 29 has only appeared four times in franchise history, and the last Celtics player to wear it was Pervis Ellison, from 1995 to 2000.
Either way, the Celtics seem likely to put someone on the floor in a number that almost never shows up in their history.
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