Most projections had Cameron Carr coming off the board between picks No. 15 and No. 20 in the 2026 NBA Draft. However, he slipped to No. 24, where the Los Angeles Lakers acquired his rights from the New York Knicks in a four-team trade.
After turning heads during the Las Vegas Summer League, Carr sent a strong message to the rest of the NBA.
Cameron Carr Delivers Confident Message as Lakers Rookie Thrives in NBA Summer League
Carr caught the attention of scouts before the draft with his impressive athleticism (42-inch vertical leap) and a 6-foot-5 frame with a 7-foot-1 wingspan. PFSN’s scouting report described him as follows:
”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. … His length and athleticism help him get downhill, though adding strength remains important for maximizing his effectiveness.”
The former Baylor star has a slender build and raw skills, reasons that likely caused him to fall in the draft. Still, most NBA insiders were surprised he slid, a turn of events that the Lakers pounced on.
Early on, Carr is showing he might be one of the draft’s biggest steals. After LA’s 105-82 victory over the Caleb Wilson-led Chicago Bulls on Thursday, Carr shared his thoughts on his approach to the Summer League.
”You gotta have fire under your feet, so every time I step on the court, I’m motivated to go out and do my job. I think I was overlooked, so I got a lot to prove,” Carr said.
Cameron Carr:
“I think I was overlooked so I got a lot to prove.”
(h/t @MindOfBron) pic.twitter.com/1vFM8zAmvw
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 17, 2026
The 21-year-old has continuously displayed a determination to prove his worth since he was drafted. In the Lakers’ matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday, he dropped 23 points and said in his postgame interview, “I’m here to play basketball, I’m not here to be a pretty boy.”
Against the Bulls, Carr chipped in 14 points and grabbed 3 rebounds. He also helped slow down Wilson, arguably the biggest Summer League star. Wilson finished with 21 points but committed 8 turnovers.
When Carr’s name was called on draft night last month, he thought he would be joining the Knicks, the defending NBA champions. Before he reached the podium, he realized that he had been traded to LA.
The Lakers made notable changes over the past two weeks by adding Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, and Ziaire Williams to boost their backcourt and wing depth. Despite the odds stacked against Carr earning regular minutes in JJ Redick’s rotation, the rookie is intent on giving it his best shot and proving his doubters wrong.
