Cameron Carr: The Lakers’ New Rookie Explained Simply

What is Summer League and How Did the Lakers Get Cameron Carr?

Imagine a playground where new kids get to show their skills before the real school year starts. That’s what Summer League is in basketball: a series of practice games where rookies (first-year players) get their first taste of pro action.

This year’s player draft (where teams take turns picking young talent) was said to be one of the best in a long time. The Los Angeles Lakers ended up with a player named Cameron Carr.

• The Lakers made a trade (like a swap) with the New York Knicks.
• They moved up to the 24th pick (their turn to choose a player) and selected Cameron Carr.
• In just a short time, Carr showed he already has many skills that NBA players need, plus he is very athletic (good at jumping and moving). Fans quickly grew to love him.

Important: The Lakers’ team didn’t have many players who play on the sides of the court (called wings). Carr looks like he can help both on offense (scoring) and defense (stopping opponents) — a "two-way producer". This gives him a real chance to be part of Coach JJ Redick’s regular playing group (rotation).

Cameron’s Offensive Skills: Shooting and Dribbling

Carr’s main talent is scoring the ball. He can shoot from anywhere on the court!

• He uses proper shot mechanics (the way you hold and throw the ball) and careful footwork (how he moves his feet) to get balanced and take many types of shots.
• Because the Lakers’ Summer League team didn’t have top players who can dribble and create plays (called ballhandlers), Carr had to make his own shots sometimes.

Example play against the Thunder (see the GIF in original article):

1. Carr gets a "step-up screen" — a teammate blocks the defender so Carr can move freely.
2. The defender stays far back (called "deep drop coverage").
3. Carr, holding the ball, stops and shoots (called a pull-up) right in the open space.

He also shows:

• A nice handle (ability to dribble).
• Skill to use screens (where teammate blocks defender) to get where he wants.
• Ability to jump up and shoot.

With teammate Adou Theiro (a player from Baylor college), he ran a pick and roll (one player blocks, then they pass and move). They have good teamwork. Carr uses a pump fake (pretending to shoot to fool defender), then rises up for a mid-distance shot, showing his 7-foot wingspan (his arms stretch as wide as 7 feet!).

Playing Without the Ball: Why He Fits Coach Redick’s Plan

The Lakers already have famous guards (the smaller players who handle the ball) like Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Collin Sexton. So Carr won’t be the one dribbling much.

His best chance to play is as an off-ball wing — someone who doesn’t hold the ball but moves to get open.

• Coach Redick really likes "movement shooters" — players who run around to get free for shots.
• The team used many plays to free Carr as a shooter. One common screen is a pindown (a teammate blocks the defender near the baseline).
  • Carr curls around the screen.
  • Defender tries to follow closely ("lock-and-trail"), but Carr catches the ball and shoots in one smooth motion.
• In another play, he comes off a wide pindown, uses his athleticism to trick the defender who is out of position, does a triple threat fake (a stance where he can pass, shoot, or dribble), gets a step past him, and scores above the rim (the basket).

Defensive Prowess: Blocking Shots Like a Giant

Carr isn’t just about scoring. He also has big potential on defense.

• His long arms and athleticism let him block shots from the outer areas (perimeter blocks).
• In situations where most players would be beaten, Carr quickly recovers and stops the shot.

Important: In four Summer League games, he averaged one block per game. In one out-of-bounds play, he was screened twice by a big player but still recovered to block a 3-point try!

His Numbers and What They Mean

Let’s look at his Summer League stats so far:

• 4 games played
• 17 points per game (average points he scores)
• 37% shooting from 3-point range (about 1 in 3 long shots go in)
• This includes a game where he scored only 5 points because he didn’t play the second half (in California).

What makes him extra special?

• Last college season (D-1 is the top level of US college basketball), he was the ONLY player with:
  • Over 70 made 3-point shots
  • Over 40 blocked shots
    That’s a rare mix of shooting and defending for a perimeter player!

Areas to Improve

Even though he’s great, he’s still learning:

• His passing reads (knowing when to pass) need to get better.
• His defense when not guarding the ball can be sharper with more focus.
• He himself said he needs to add muscle in the gym (weight room).

Summary

Cameron Carr, picked 24th by the Lakers via a trade with the Knicks, has looked like a steal in Summer League. He can shoot from anywhere, move without the ball, and block shots despite being a perimeter player. With the Lakers lacking wing talent, he has a real shot to earn minutes under Coach Redick. While he needs to get stronger and improve some skills, early signs suggest he could help the team right away. Fans have every reason to be excited!

FAQ

1. What is Summer League?
It’s a set of informal games after the draft where new NBA players (rookies) get to show their skills before the regular season.

2. How did the Lakers get Cameron Carr?
They traded with the New York Knicks to move up to the 24th pick in the draft and chose him.

3. What makes Carr special?
He can shoot threes and block shots — a rare combo for a perimeter player. He was the only top-college player last year with 70+ threes and 40+ blocks.

4. Will he play for the Lakers this year?
It’s early, but because the team lacks wing players and he fits Coach Redick’s style, he has a good chance to be in the rotation.

5. What does he need to work on?
He needs to add muscle, improve passing decisions, and focus more on defense when not holding the ball.

Author note: You can follow Raj on X (Twitter) at @RajChipalu for more Lakers coverage.