The Los Angeles Lakers have spent their entire offseason strengthening the depth of this roster. That all started with drafting Cameron Carr with the 24th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Despite all the additions that came after that moment, Carr will still get his chance to make an impact early.
The job description of fitting in with Luka Doncic has never been a particularly complicated one for the Lakers rookie. Los Angeles needs Carr to hit triples and play defense. A front office executive for the franchise told Keith Smith as much at the summer league.
“He’ll have to win his minutes, because his group is really deep. But he’s a worker, so that’ll give him a chance to play right away. Cam did a lot off the bounce at Summer League, so that was fun to see. But early on, we’ll keep it easy for him: make your open jumpers and defend.”
The Lakers will have a lot of players hoping to provide a similar skill set for the team in October. Carr will just need to prove he can do both at a higher level than any of his internal competitors.
Cameron Carr needs to prove himself as a premier 3-and-D option
Carr shined as a 3-point shooter during his Junior season in the NCAA. The former Baylor Bear shot 37.4 percent from beyond the arc on 6.1 attempts per game. It goes just beyond the numbers with him, though.
The fluidity in the shooting mechanics is smooth, very smooth. Throw on the tape and Carr shoots the ball in a way that is consistent and hard to defend because of his length. That should get JJ Redick excited.
What would bring the Lakers head coach just as much joy is if his rookie can use his athletic gifts to stand out as a defender, too. Carr's 7-foot-1-inch wingspan should allow him to be disruptive on the defensive end. If he can create havoc and stay in front of his matchups, playing time should come.
Cameron Carr's competition for minutes is tough but not insurmountable
The Lakers should be featuring a starting lineup of Doncic, Austin Reaves, Quentin Grimes, Walker Kessler, and whatever forward they end up settling on beside them. Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton should be the first two guys off the bench.
Redick preferred a nine-man rotation last season. If that is still the plan in 2026-27, that leaves two spots open for Carr to win.
Matisse Thybulle, Jaden Hardy, Adou Thiero, Ziaire Williams, and Jake LaRavia should be the main competition here. Everyone among that group is solid but at least slightly flawed in their own way.
Thybulle has improved his 3-point shot, but still only takes a low volume. Hardy is a poor defender. Thiero is still incredibly raw as an offensive player. Williams showed signs of improved shooting, but is still working toward finding more consistency. LaRavia was abysmal on his open looks from deep.
If Carr can prove to be the most reliable option on both ends among that group, one of the two final spots in the rotation should be his. As the Lakers executive said, the rookie wing will have to earn it, but there is confidence here in him doing just that.
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