At No. 24 in the NBA Draft teams typically don’t expect to find a player capable of making an immediate impact while also offering significant long-term upside. But the 2026 NBA Draft was loaded with talent, and the Los Angeles Lakers may have landed a gem in Cameron Carr.
Carr was originally selected by the New York Knicks with the 24th overall pick. Just minutes later, however, his future changed as the guard was traded to the Lakers in the deal that sent Sergio De Larrea to New York.
A member of Baylor University and born in 2004, Carr is a 6-foot-5 guard who averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 blocks this season while shooting an impressive 37.4% from three-point range.
Carr had long been projected to be selected around that range, but after an outstanding Draft Combine – where he showcased elite athleticism and a 2.15 meters wingspan – many analysts believed he could have gone anywhere between the 14th and 19th picks.
For that reason, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report considers Cameron Carr one of the best value picks of the 2026 NBA Draftespecially for a Lakers team that needed shooters and athletes to complement Luka Doncic.
Carr could have gone 10 picks earlier, and nobody would have blinked. This is tremendous value at this point in the draft, and his finishing ability should really shine next to a playmaker like Luka Doncic
Zach Buckley
The main concerns among scouts revolve around his frame (83 kg) and his limited ability to create his own shot off the dribble, two areas that could slow his transition to the NBA.
It’s easy to envision him in a 3-and-D role, although he needs to add strength and become more comfortable with physical play to truly excel in that spot. (…) His ball-handling is limited, and his court vision is still a work in progress
NBA Insider
However, his lack of shot creation may not be a significant issue given the presence of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Carr won’t be asked to initiate the offense but rather to capitalize on the open looks generated by the Lakers’ primary playmakers.
With that in mind, the Lakers may have landed one of the biggest bargains of the 2026 NBA Draft. The former Baylor standout isn’t just ready to contribute immediately – he also has the potential to become an important piece of the purple and gold for years to come.
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