Inside Cameron Carr’s Bold Case for Lakers Rotation Spot
Cameron Carr: The Lakers’ Summer League Sensation Explained Simply
What is Summer League and How Did the Lakers Get Cameron?
Think of the NBA Summer League as a special basketball camp where teams get their very first look at brand-new players (called rookies). This year’s group of new players was said to be one of the best in a long time, and the Los Angeles Lakers managed to grab a special one.
The Lakers made a trade (a swap of players or draft picks) with the New York Knicks. This helped them move up to the 24th pick in the draft (the order in which teams choose players). With that pick, they chose a player named Cameron Carr.
In a very short time, Carr showed he has all the skills needed to play in the NBA, plus he is super athletic (great at jumping and moving). Lakers fans have quickly fallen in love with him!
Why Cameron Carr Fits the Lakers’ Needs
The Lakers’ team right now is missing what we call "wing" players. A wing is a player who usually plays on the sides of the court and can do a bit of everything.
Carr looks like he could be a two-way producer. In simple terms:
- Two-way means he can help the team score (offense) and stop the other team from scoring (defense).
- Because he is so good, he has a real chance to earn a regular spot in the playing group (called the "rotation") led by the Lakers’ head coach, JJ Redick.
Cameron’s Offense: Shooting From Anywhere
Carr’s main skill on offense is his ability to shoot the basketball from any spot on the floor.
- He uses perfect form (called "textbook shot mechanics") when shooting.
- He moves his feet carefully (footwork) to get balanced and ready to shoot, no matter where he is.
Creating His Own Shot
Because the Lakers’ Summer League team didn’t have many players who are great at dribbling and setting up plays (we call them "top-level ballhandlers"), Carr had to make his own shots. Here is an example of how he did it against the Thunder team:
- A teammate stood up to block the defender (this is called a "step-up screen").
- The defender guarded way back near the basket (this is called "deep drop coverage"), leaving a lot of empty space.
- Carr, holding the ball, stopped and shot (a "pull-up") right in that empty space and scored!
He also showed he is good at dribbling (his "handle"). In another play, Carr—who played college ball at Baylor—did a famous move with his teammate Adou Theiro:
- Carr used a "pick and roll" (his teammate blocked the defender, then ran toward the basket).
- He moved to the area around the free-throw line.
- He pretended to shoot (a "pump fake") which made the defender freeze.
- He then jumped up and hit a medium-distance shot (a "mid-range pull-up"), showing off his huge 7-foot arm span (wingspan).
Playing Without the Ball (The Off-Ball Wizard)
The main Lakers team already has star players like Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Collin Sexton who handle the ball a lot. This means Carr probably won’t be the one dribbling much during games.
His best chance to play is as an off-ball wing (playing while someone else has the ball). Coach Redick loves having a "movement shooter"—a player who runs around to get open and then shoots.
The Lakers used special plays called "screens" (where a teammate blocks the defender) to help Carr get open:
- Pindown Screen: A teammate blocks the defender so Carr can run toward the ball. In one play, the defender tried to follow closely ("lock-and-trail"), but Carr curved tightly around the screen, caught the ball, and shot it all in one smooth motion!
- Wide Pindown: In another play, he used a wider screen. He used his athleticism to take advantage of the defender being out of position. A quick fake (triple threat fake) gave him a step past the defender, and he jumped high to finish at the rim (above the rim).
The Defensive Side: A Blocking Machine
Carr isn’t just good at scoring; his defense has super high potential too! Because he is athletic and has long arms, he can block shots from far away (called "perimeter blocks").
Even when most players would get beaten by the offensive player, Carr can quickly get back into position ("recover").
- In one play from out-of-bounds, a big player screened Carr twice, but he still managed to get back and block a 3-point shot attempt!
Callout for Important Points: Cameron Carr is a rare player! Last season in college (Division 1, the highest level), he was the ONLY player to make over 70 shots from the 3-point line AND block over 40 shots. That is a unique superpower combo for a perimeter wing!
His Awesome Stats So Far
In his first four Summer League games, Carr has put up great numbers:
- He is averaging 17 points per game.
- He is shooting 37% from the 3-point line.
- (Note: In one game he only scored 5 points because he didn’t play the second half in California, but he is still doing great!)
- On defense, he is averaging 1 block per game in those four games.
What He Needs to Work On
Even though he is great, Carr is still learning and has room to grow:
- Passing: He needs to get better at deciding when to pass the ball to teammates ("passing reads need tightening").
- Defense focus: He can improve his defense when he doesn’t have the ball by paying closer attention.
- Strength: Carr himself has admitted he needs to spend time in the weight room to add muscle.
Callout for Important Points: While Summer League isn’t a perfect test of how a player will do in the real season, it looks like the Lakers found a hidden gem! Carr could start helping the team right away—a true steal in the draft.
Summary
Cameron Carr, picked 24th by the Lakers via a trade with the Knicks, has wowed everyone in the Summer League. He can shoot from anywhere, create his own shots, and excel without the ball using screens. On defense, his long arms help him block shots like a pro. While he needs to build muscle and improve his passing, the Lakers might have found a player who can contribute immediately—a perfect fit for what the team needs!
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What is the NBA Summer League?
The Summer League is a special event where NBA teams play exhibition games to give brand-new players (rookies) and young players a chance to show their skills before the regular season starts.
2. What does "two-way producer" mean for Cameron Carr?
It means he helps the Lakers both on offense (by scoring points, like shooting 3-pointers) and on defense (by blocking shots and stopping opponents).
3. Why is Cameron Carr’s combination of skills so rare?
Last season in college, he was the only player to make over 70 three-point shots and block over 40 shots. Usually, players are either great shooters or great blockers, but he is both!
4. Who is Cameron Carr’s coach with the Lakers?
His head coach on the main Lakers team is JJ Redick, who really likes players that move around without the ball to get open for shots (movement shooters)—which is exactly what Carr does.
5. What does Carr need to improve to be even better?
He needs to add muscle in the gym, make smarter passing decisions, and focus harder when playing defense without the ball.
(Author note: You can follow Raj on X at @RajChipalu for more Lakers insights!)
