Cameron Carr seeks to end Lakers' decade-long first-round
Cameron Carr aims to break the Lakers' streak of no impact from first-round draft picks since Lonzo Ball in 2017, with his Summer League performance
The Lakers have not seen notable production from a first-round draft pick since Lonzo Ball in 2017, a span of nearly a decade marked by trades involving those picks for players like Anthony Davis, Dennis Schröder, Luka Dončić, and Russell Westbrook. This prolonged lack of impact has left fans eager for a young player to generate excitement, a void Cameron Carr sought to fill with his strong Summer League showing.
Carr demonstrated an ability to score at multiple levels and showed high-flying athleticism, traits that energized the fanbase and aligned with the Lakers' offseason shift toward a younger, more athletic roster. His off-ball scoring stood out in Summer League, particularly his knack for knocking down threes off screens, hitting mid-range jumpers on pindown actions, and finishing at the basket on curls.
With Luka Dončić or Austin Reaves expected to handle primary ball-handling duties, Carr’s path to minutes hinges on his effectiveness as an off-ball scorer. His unique skill set as a perimeter threat among the Lakers’ guards could earn him rotation time if he shoots consistently and keeps defenses honest.
His defensive length offers potential to create chaos, and improving on that end could further secure his role, especially if his offensive production earns him defensive leeway.
However, concerns remain about a worst-case scenario mirroring Dalton Knecht’s trajectory-initial offensive promise followed by defensive struggles and declining minutes when shots stopped falling. For Carr to follow that path, his offense would need to deteriorate significantly, which seems less likely given his diverse scoring arsenal; instead, struggles might stem from indecision in shooting, driving, or passing decisions against NBA-caliber defenders.
Despite the guard-heavy roster, Carr impressed enough in Summer League to warrant a genuine opportunity. He is projected to begin the season on the edge of the rotation, with chances to earn more minutes through increased role or injuries to teammates.
Whether he can break the Lakers’ ten-year trend of underwhelming first-round picks will ultimately depend on his development and consistency, a question that will unfold over the course of the season.
