The 2026 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn produced its share of surprises on Tuesday night. One of the most bizarre came toward the end of the first round when the new NBA champions, the New York Knicks, completed a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers swapped the No. 25 pick for New York’s No. 24 pick in a strange trade that initially had fans scratching their heads.
Lakers Draft Cameron Carr, Knicks Take Sergio De Larrea After Odd trade
Initially, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the trade was a straight-up swap of picks No. 24 and No. 25, promoting many to wonder why the Knicks were willing to move down one selection without receiving anything in return. However, he later clarified that the Knicks also received cash considerations in the deal.
It was still odd, as it typically takes more for a team to move up the draft board in the first round (even if it’s just one pick). Then, as if this wasn’t confusing enough, the Knicks decided they weren’t done wheeling and dealing just yet, as they then sent No. 25 pick Sergio De Larrea to the Dallas Mavericks for No. 30 Koa Peat and two second-round picks.
After the trade, the Lakers selected Baylor guard Cameron Carr at No. 25. The Knicks ultimately moved out of the first round, but added three second-rounders and cash. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, there’s a good chance that De Larrea will be a draft-and-stash and won’t come over to the Mavericks next season.
Carr, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, transferred to Baylor after limited playing time at Tennessee and immediately broke out, starting all 34 games and averaging 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game.
He shot 49.4% from the field and 37.4% from three, a combination of efficiency and shooting range that drew consistent praise from draft analysts.
Carr is a high-level combo guard with a smooth shooting stroke and a modern offensive skill set. At 6-foot-5, Carr combines a quick release with deep range, thriving as a floor-spacer and off-ball shooter who needs little space to get his shot off.
He is disruptive in the passing lanes and projects as an above-average team defender. While he has improved as a finisher, getting stronger and more consistent off the dribble will be key to unlocking his ceiling.
The pick makes obvious sense for the Lakers. With Luka Dončić at the center of their offense, the Lakers have been actively seeking 3-and-D wing players to surround him with, and Carr fits that profile precisely. He is a legitimate shooter who can play off the ball, a high-level athlete, and a player projected by most boards as a top-20 talent who slipped into the late first round.
Carr’s father, Chris Carr, played in the NBA from 1995 to 2001, appearing in nearly 300 regular-season games across six teams. He was the runner-up to Kobe Bryant in the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
As for the Knicks, this was largely a cost-cutting move. For Dallas, they landed a solid contributor in De Larrea. He is a tall, crafty Spanish guard whose size, feel, and creativity with the ball give him real lead-guard upside. At around 6-foot-6 with the ability to change speeds, manipulate angles, and get into the paint, he thrives operating out of pick-and-roll and making reads over the top of the defense.
His size suggests defensive versatility, but he has yet to show he can consistently disrupt at the point of attack or as a playmaker away from the ball. If he maintains his shooting efficiency and adds strength and activity on defense, De Larrea projects as a versatile jumbo guard who can run an offense and space the floor at the next level.
