The Los Angeles Lakers traded up one spot in the 2026 NBA Draft to select Cameron Carr, who feels like the perfect Luke Kennard replacement. The veteran sharpshooter is an unrestricted free agent, and the Lakers want to upgrade their roster around Luka Doncic. Rob Pelinka and the front office drafted a lower-cost sharpshooter to fill Kennard’s role, and can wisely use the dollars saved to upgrade elsewhere.
Kennard is one of the best shooters of all time, but his defensive issues are a problem in the playoffs. He has struggled in the games that matter most with four different franchises. The Lakers honestly can’t count on him to help them win a title. Since that should be the only goal, it is time to move on.
Carr is 6’5 with over a seven-foot wingspan. He is the prototypical NBA wing with a ready-made jumper. The 21-year-old has a shot to finally break Pelinka’s disastrous draft track record. Carr's defensive upside makes him an even better fit than Kennard moving forward.
The Lakers should let Luke Kennard walk after drafting Cameron Carr
Kennard made $11 million last season and has earned $62.1 million over the last five years. The 29-year-old isn’t taking a massive pay cut to stay with the Lakers. It would likely take $10-15 million per year to retain him.
Carr will make $3.4 million next season after being the 24th pick. The Lakers have cap space, but every dollar counts in the second apron era. They must sort out the futures of Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes, and Kennard. Los Angeles wants to upgrade their roster beyond that.
They don’t have the space to bring back everyone and add talent, which will force difficult decisions. Sending cash to the Knicks on draft night hard-capped LA at the second apron. It will be expensive to keep Reaves, so this saving could be crucial.
Carr is a project. He must add strength and lock in defensively. Pelinka loves players with an elite skill. For the 6’5 rookie, it is his shooting. Luka loves to find open teammates, and Carr was an outstanding catch-and-shoot option in the NCAA. Expect that to quickly translate as he tries to round out the rest of his game.
The pressure is on the Lakers’ front office to upgrade their roster. Luka wants to win a championship, and this was the start. Los Angeles hopes Carr turns into a long-term rotation piece around number 77. The Lakers shockingly haven’t added one since acquiring Luka at the 2025 trade deadline. If upgrades aren’t made this summer, front office changes should be.
The Los Angeles Lakers trading up to draft Cameron Carr could signal the end of Luke Kennard’s time with the purple and gold. The franchise gave up a second-round draft pick to acquire him at the deadline. They needed shooting, but now the Lakers have it on a rookie contract. The focus should shift to upgrading their roster and to who else LA has to move on from. Stay tuned because the offseason moves are just getting started.
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