July 20, 2026, 7:01 a.m. PT
In some ways, Los Angeles Lakers rookie guard Cameron Carr didn’t play well during the main NBA summer league. He shot just 42.4% from the field and 19.2% from 3-point range, but he did flash his natural ability enough to enough to tantalize fans. Plenty of eyes will certainly be on him in a few months during training camp and the preseason when he looks to truly prove he deserves a spot in the Lakers’ regular rotation. The 6-foot-5 guard is very athletic and shot the 3-ball well last season at Baylor University, and he’s an outstanding finisher at the rim, especially in transition.
With summer league over, it’s time for Carr to go back to the lab. He said after his last game on Saturday what his mindset is moving forward, via Arion Armeniakos of The Sporting Tribune. “Just keep learning, keep my composure, keep level-headed,” Carr said. ‘Just focus on the next thing, just don’t let it take me out of the game on the other end and keep competing and keep playing hard.”
The Lakers did well in summer league play, going 2-1 in the California Classic and 4-1 in Las Vegas.
Their lone loss in Las Vegas came to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday in a close game that went down to the wire. Carr had 17 points in that contest.
“Man, it was big time,” he said of his first Summer League. “I got to lean on a lot of good players that have been here a little bit. So, I’ve gotten to ask them questions, learn from them, be a sponge and of course stepping on the court with them it’s a blast. It’s fun to get to play with these guys and of course win.”
The Lakers may have gotten a gem in Carr by swapping the rights to their No.
25 pick for the rights to Carr, who went at No. 24 to the New York Knicks.
Then again, they felt they got a steal two years ago when Dalton Knecht, who was expected to be a top-10 pick, fell to them at No. 17. In two pro seasons, Knecht has yet to pan out. But it appears Carr has a good attitude, so perhaps he will prove that Los Angeles was right to pursue him on the first day of the NBA draft last month.
