Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country.
The Lakers have fully embraced a youth movement.
The Lakers accomplished their mission of acquiring players in the same age range as Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves as Kevon Looney is the only player over 30 on the roster.
While youth is ideal, as it means players are closer to their prime and better able to withstand the grueling NBA season,
it also comes with drawbacks. Plenty of Lakers are unproven, especially on the back end of the roster.
The four names that come to mind are Adou Thiero, Cameron Carr, Zaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle. The upside for LA is that all are low-risk and high-reward.
Realistically, none are currently being counted on to play major minutes, and the player with the biggest contract from this quartet is Carr, who is making $3.3 million this year. If any of them can outpace their deals, then LA could not only gain a rotation player but have one at a bargain.
So, for our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we ask, which player is most likely to outperform their contract?
As a member of Carr Island before he was even on the Lakers, I feel like he has to be the top choice. He’s a three-level scorer and displayed that throughout at Baylor, averaging 18.9 points while shooting 49.4% from the field, 37.4% from deep and 80.1% from the free throw line.
While he hasn’t played in an NBA game yet, he was elite in the Las Vegas Summer League. Carr looked too good for that level of competition, averaging 18 points per game. While Summer League isn’t the best indicator of how one will play at the next level, how he scored mattered.
Carr showed that he can handle the ball a bit and create. He scored off-ball from the wing as well, which is likely the role he’ll play with the main team. His defensive play was equally encouraging. Carr has good size and used it well, averaging 0.8 blocks per game.
While Carr has no NBA experience yet, that also makes him a huge x-factor. No one knows how good he’ll be. So far, he’s played well in the moments he’s gotten this summer and has said all the right things.
If what little we’ve seen from Carr translates well, then he can absolutely find himself having a role in the rotation as a rookie. With how difficult it is to build rosters under the apron restrictions, having players like that is huge for teams.
But Thiero, Williams and Thybulle will also get their chances to step up. So, if you think they are more likely to outperform their deals, cast your vote that way. And as always, feel free to explain your rationale in the comment section below.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
