While most of the focus has been on the Los Angeles Lakers’ swift roster overhaul in free agency, the franchise’s prized rookie, No. 24 pick Cameron Carr, has also been making waves through his first two NBA Summer League outings.
Carr’s red-hot start to the California Classic sparked buzz across the NBA world, with some already declaring the 21-year-old wing the “steal” of the 2026 Draft.
Cameron Carr’s Early NBA Summer League Success Fuels Hype Around Lakers Rookie
LA was widely praised on draft night for trading up to select Carr, who many pegged as a lottery talent.
The Lakers have since divided pundits with their free-agency moves, most notably by parting with two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033) and two first-round pick swaps (2028 and 2030) in a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz to acquire center Walker Kessler on a four-year, $130 million contract.
Rob Pelinka and Co. have sacrificed future flexibility to build around superstar guard Luka Dončić, making Carr’s potential emergence as an immediate rotation piece all the more valuable.
If Carr’s first two Summer League appearances are any indication, he could be in store for sizable minutes right out of the gate. After posting 19 points in his debut against the Golden State Warriors, the Baylor product erupted for a game-high 26 points in Sunday’s 93-91 double-overtime win over the Miami Heat.
Carr shot 7-for-16 overall (43.8%), including 4-for-9 from 3-point range (44.4%), and 4-for-5 at the free-throw line (80%), adding 8 rebounds in 31 minutes. He put his smooth catch-and-shoot ability on full display from beyond the arc and in the midrange, while also showcasing his athleticism on a two-handed slam after a drive to the rim in the third quarter.
Cameron Carr starred for Los Angeles!
26 PTS
8 REB
4 3PM@Lakers secure the victory in sudden death OT at the California Classic 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wuRIkY8PD7— NBA (@NBA) July 5, 2026
Through two Summer League contests, Carr is shooting a blistering 9-for-20 from deep (45%), an encouraging sign for the spacing-needy Lakers, with many across the NBA community on X taking notice.
“ABSOLUTE STEAL,” Hoop Central captioned Carr’s latest stat line.
CAMERON CARR TODAY:
26 POINTS
8 REBOUNDS
7/16 FGM
4/9 3PM
32 MINUTESABSOLUTE STEAL. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0DK7WRTsoV
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 5, 2026
“He just simply looks WAY better than anyone else on the court,” LakersMuse gushed.
Cameron Carr is averaging 22.5 PPG, 5 REB, and 4.5 3PM in his first two California Classic games:
He just simply looks WAY better than anyone else on the court 😤 pic.twitter.com/mxB3buV9Xb
— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) July 5, 2026
“Cam Carr has looked awesome in his first two summer league games, has been an efficient three-level scorer. Still can’t believe he fell as far as he did in the NBA Draft,” NBA content creator Six Rings of Steel reacted.
Cam Carr has looked awesome in his first two summer league games, has been an efficient three level scorer.
Still can’t believe he fell as far as he did in the NBA Draft.
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) July 5, 2026
“LAKERS GOT A STEAL IN THE DRAFT IN CAMERON CARR,” LA fan page LakeShowYo exclaimed.
LAKERS GOT A STEAL IN THE DRAFT IN CAMERON CARR 🗣️
🔥 26 PTS
🔥 8 REB
🔥 7/16 FG
🔥 4/9 3PT pic.twitter.com/KPTTFODFo1— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) July 5, 2026
“Cameron Carr shouldn’t have fallen as far as he did in the 2026 NBA Draft. This guy is a shooter’s shooter who can rise up and get his shot off over the defense from any angle he needs to. I get the frame concerns, but he’s long, active, and smart. Lakers got a good one,” No Ceiling NBA’s Nathan Grubel raved.
Cameron Carr shouldn’t have fallen as far as he did in the 2026 NBA Draft. This guy is a shooter’s shooter who can rise up and get his shot off over the defense from any angle he needs to. I get the frame concerns, but he’s long, active, and smart. Lakers got a good one.
— Nathan Grubel (@DraftDeeper) July 5, 2026
Meanwhile, Carr’s Summer League teammate, Chris Mañon, also lauded his offensive skill set.
“That kid can ball for sure,” Mañon said. “It’s apparent he can score the ball. He’s super long, so he can shoot over guys. It’s definitely a good weapon to have out there. If I get in the paint, I’m always trying to find him, look out for him, because I know he’ll let it fly.”
Lakers first-round pick Cameron Carr through two summer league games:
– vs. GSW: 19 points on 7-15 shooting, 5-11 on 3s
– vs. Miami: 26 points (7-16 shooting, 4-9 on 3s), 8 reboundsChris Mañon on Carr: “That kid can ball for sure. It’s apparent he can score the ball. He’s… pic.twitter.com/97Xe58wMRd
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) July 6, 2026
It’s still a small sample size, but if Carr’s shooting ability translates to the NBA level, it shouldn’t take long for him to earn Lakers coach JJ Redick’s trust.
