The Los Angeles Lakers announced that they have signed first-round pick Cameron Carr to his rookie contract. The Lakers traded up from No. 25 to 24 in a deal with the New York Knicks to draft Carr out of Baylor. The terms of his contract were not disclosed, but it should be a standard four-year rookie scale contract.
Carr spent two seasons at Tennessee before breaking out at Baylor during his junior season, averaging 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field and 37.4% from deep.
When speaking at his introductory press conference, Carr expressed how excited he was to join the Lakers organization.
“First things first, it’s a blessing to be here and get to sit down and talk to you guys,” Carr began. “Walking in the building, first thing you notice is the rich tradition of the people that have been here before you. It’s a moment of happiness. As a kid you always dreamed of walking across that stage and accomplishing everything you wanted to. Man, it just felt good to walk in the gym and look at the people that came before me. Now I’m in their shoes.”
Carr also revealed his first reaction when he found out he was being drafted by L.A.
“I’m going to the Lakers! It was more of an exciting thing. It felt surreal,” he said. “It didn’t feel real for the first couple minutes when I found out. It was trying to get my head around, ‘Man, I’m about to walk across the stage and be an NBA player.’ I’ve dreamed of this my whole life, especially since I was a kid. So it took a second. Still trying to get my head wrapped around it, but nothing but excitement and happiness. I feel more motivation to work.”
Now that Carr’s rookie contract is signed, he will be able to suit up for the Lakers in Summer League with California Classic play set to kick off on Friday night.
Cameron Carr wants to learn from Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves
Carr will get to play with two elite guards in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and he is excited to begin picking their brains.
“First things first is learn,” Carr said. “That’s a heck of an organization to walk into. Especially with the level of guys I’m getting to play with and just be around every day. Just be a sponge as much as possible and soak up all the information they give. Man, just learn. You don’t get to wake up and be teammates with them every single day, so just wake up and learn every single day. Take it step by step.”
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