The Los Angeles Lakers did a little draft-night maneuvering to make sure Baylor wing Cameron Carr will be wearing purple and gold. Los Angeles moved up on the first night of the NBA draft in a swap with the New York Knicks to secure the 6-foot-5, 21-year-old, a switchable two-way wing who finished last season as Baylor's leading scorer. Carr was in New York for the draft but stayed quiet afterward, skipping media availability once his name was called.
The deal came together in a late, multi-step exchange with New York. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, the Knicks technically used the No. 24 pick on Carr, then the teams rearranged adjacent selections and cash considerations in a series of moves that ultimately sent Carr's rights to Los Angeles. Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka did not speak publicly late Tuesday because the NBA had yet to make the transaction official, and Carr did not address reporters at Barclays Center. When the dust settles, the Lakers will have a rookie who projects to give them minutes on both ends of the floor.
What Carr Brings
According to Baylor Athletics, Carr averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 49.4% from the field and 37.4% from three-point range during his breakout season. That production, paired with his length and explosive testing at the combine, is what had scouts penciling him in as a late first-round, high-upside wing.
Fit For L.A.
The selection checks a very obvious roster box for the Lakers: adding an athletic, switchable wing who can guard multiple spots and knock down corner threes. As outlined in a pre-draft look at the Lakers' options, a late first-round choice can either address an immediate rotation need or function as a tradable rookie-scale asset while the front office works through free agency.
Next Steps
Coverage that followed ESPN insider Shams Charania's draft updates noted that the Lakers moved up one spot and sent cash considerations to New York, with the details summarized by SportsGrid. The league still has to formally process the pick, and Carr is expected to join the Lakers' summer-league and training-camp plans as the front office finalizes its offseason roster decisions, according to NBC Sports.
