Los Angeles Lakers all-time draft bust starting 5
By Tyler Watts
Lakers all-time bust PF: Kenny Carr
Carr was the sixth overall pick in the 1977 draft. The NBA had expanded to 22 teams, and the Lakers were back in the playoffs for the first time since 1974 before being bounced in the conference finals. Carr had just helped Team USA win an Olympic gold medal in 1976, and LA was excited about his potential.
Things just never worked out with the Lakers. He broke both his feet in his first two years in the league, and Carr never found consistent starters minutes in LA. He averaged 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 15.0 minutes per game during his two-plus seasons with the Lakers.
Carr did play in the NBA for a decade where he found success with the Cavaliers and Blazers before retiring in 1987 at the age of 31. He never lived up to his draft hype, especially during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, but that should not take away from his accomplishments.
The Lakers traded Carr to the Cleveland Cavaliers for two second-round draft picks in 1979. He never got a full chance to prove himself, which made his departure the best avenue for both sides at that moment. He played his best basketball in Portland where he averaged 12.4 points and 8.1 rebounds in 28.2 minutes per game over five seasons.