The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t had much in terms of younger talent with great potential for development in recent years, but that is starting to change. Last year, the team drafted Adou Thiero, and this summer they moved up one spot to take Cameron Carr with the 24th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Carr turned some heads with his performance in Summer League, showing his offensive skill and ability to shoot the ball from deep, while also flashing some serious defensive potential. Whether he will be able to carve out a spot in the Lakers’ rotation as a rookie is unclear, even to Carr himself, but the young guard is willing to do whatever he can to help the team win, via Tomer Azarly of Clutch Points:
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win. I wouldn’t necessarily put a stamp on if I’m ready or if I’m not ready. Whatever they need to do to help the team win, I’m willing to do it.”
This is the right attitude for a young player to have and is one that Carr has embraced from the moment he was drafted to the franchise. Carr has spoken about his need to improve defensively and understanding his ability to make an impact on that side of the court is what will help him get on the court as a rookie.
Carr had a strong performance in Summer League overall averaging 17.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in seven contests across both the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League. He shot 42.3% from the field, but only 29.2% from 3-point range, though that likely was impacted by a minor thumb injury he suffered to his shooting hand in Las Vegas. Carr shot 40.9% from deep at the California Classic, but that dipped to just 19.2% in Vegas.
The Lakers will need a couple of their wings to step up in order for this team to be successful this season and Carr will have the opportunity if he proves to be ready. He undoubtedly has the most offensive potential between himself, Thiero and free agent signings Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle. But he will need to show he can lock in defensively as the other three are potential lockdown defenders for a Lakers team that needs perimeter defenders.
Adou Thiero embracing mentor role for Lakers rookie Carmeron Carr
Carr and Thiero both shined for the Lakers’ Summer League team with both showing plenty of promise. And Thiero, in his second year in the league, has already taken to a mentoring role with the rookie Carr.
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