Carter was selected by the
Los Angeles Lakers in the second round (37th overall) of the
1980 NBA draft. On October 15, 1981, he was traded to the
Indiana Pacers in exchange for a third round draft choice (#54-Willie Jones). In 1984, the Pacers opted to go with a youth movement, keeping rookies
Vern Fleming and
Devin Durrant as their shooting guards. On October 19, Carter was traded to the
New York Knicks in exchange for a second round draft choice (#27-
Dwayne McClain). On November 12, 1985, he was released to make room for the recently re-signed
Louis Orr. On December 5, he was signed as a
free agent by the
Philadelphia 76ers, to provide depth for an injured
Sedale Threatt. He was released on December 16. Carter played a total of six years in the NBA with the
Los Angeles Lakers (1980–1981),
Indiana Pacers (1981–1984),
New York Knicks (1984–1985), and
Philadelphia 76ers (1985). He averaged 8.7
points per game over the six seasons. He held the NBA record for most points in an overtime period (14) for twenty years until surpassed by
Earl Boykins. ==Coaching career==