As the clock struck 7:52 pm on the West Coast, with the New York Knicks selecting for the Los Angeles Lakers at pick No. 24 in the 2026 NBA Draft, the world witnessed as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver read, “Cameron Carr from Baylor University.”
Now that the dust has settled, Developmental Coach Ty Abbot and staff can get to work on LA’s newest sharpshooter. Carr has all the makings of an elite scorer, and his offense will be a helpful tool for the Lakers’ system.
Breaking Down the Baylor Bear
After experiencing adversity on the Tennessee Volunteers’ bench, Cameron Carr transferred to Baylor, where he averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 37.4% from the three in his lone season in Waco. He can score at all three levels, but behind the three-point line is where he really shines.
This is perfect for the Lakers, who shot 38.5% from three last season, ranking them second in the league.
Carr’s shot diet is tailor-made for JJ Redick’s offensive sets, and it’ll be a massive weapon for Luka Dončić moving forward. The 27-year-old superstar amplifies the ability of his shooters by using his gravity as a decoy.
Even with this clear advantage, it was easy for teams to focus on Dončić and Austin Reaves, given their supporting cast’s abysmal shooting. Other than Luke Kennard and Rui Hachimura, there isn’t much talent beyond the arc. Dalton Knecht’s 40% average will fool casual fans; his minuscule shot diet must be taken into account.
The same can be said about Jake LaRavia, who shot measly 28.6% from three and contributed only two of them during the Lakers’ nine-game playoff run. Carr will be a better shooter than both, and on a rookie-scale contract.
The Cons of Drafting Cameron Carr
All of this sounds amazing on paper, but just like most rookies, Carr will have to experience growing pains to unlock his final form.
He needs to hit the weight room as often as possible this summer because his body will make him a target for opposing offenses. Like most men in their early 20s, it’ll take time for him to add muscle to his frame, and alongside his weight, the ball handling must improve.
Working out these kinks will take time as he adjusts to the NBA’s physicality, but both characteristics coincide. The more muscle he adds, the easier it’ll be to absorb the contact while handling the ball and scoring on his own.
Although his weaknesses will be prevalent from day one, the long-term reward of developing Carr is priceless. The entire league wants a three-and-D wing now, especially when they’re only 21-years old. Carr will provide a true substitute for former Laker Dorian Finney-Smith, who left Los Angeles for Houston in the summer of 2025 for a $53 million paycheck from the Rockets.
Final Thoughts
Cameron Carr will make an impact right away by hitting a couple of threes when the Lakers need him to, but the defensive results will vary on his gameday matchup. Overall, though, his ceiling is apparent to anyone who’s seen him play.
Many pundits have compared Cameron Carr’s potential to Trey Murphy III and NBA Finals Runner-Up Devin Vassell. Either way, as long as Pelinka can be patient, the Lakers will have added another valuable piece to the “Luka Lakers”
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