This NBA Draft has been lauded as one of the deepest in recent years.
Despite having a pick late in the first round, the Lakers still traded up to No. 24 and drafted Cameron Carr, providing the team with an explosive guard who immediately improves this team’s athleticism.
Considering where they were drafting, the Lakers did the best they could, picking a player with good defensive instincts and a certified 3-point shooter.
Here’s a look at the grades from a number of outlets for the selection.
J. Kyle Mann, The Ringer
Grade:
A
Carr was reportedly projected to go as high as 14, and the lowest I’d heard he could slide to was 19. But this could end up being a blessing in disguise. Luka streamlines the games of the players around him, and he’ll give Carr more catch-and-shoot 3-point opportunities than he can handle. The Lakers need perimeter depth—they’re currently composed mostly of guards and beefier wings like Rui Hachimura, who’s an unrestricted free agent—so trading up a spot to grab a player they didn’t expect to be available was a nice piece of business.
John Hollinger, The Athletic
Grade: B+
I had Carr rated five spots higher than this and like his fit in L.A. as an athletic shot-maker who can do more than just make jump shots. I think Carr has a chance to be the player the Lakers thought they were getting when they picked Dalton Knecht. The Lakers paid to trade up and make sure they got their guy.
Bryan Kalbrosky, USA Today
Grade: A
Cameron Carr was surprisingly still available this late in the first round despite having arguably the best performance of anyone at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine. Arguably the best athlete of anyone, especially among prospects in this range, Carr also provides value as someone who can stretch the floor as a shooter as well. With a wingspan nearly 7-foot-1, he should make a defensive impact breaking up passing lanes and blocking shots as well.
Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report
Grade: A
The Lakers were routinely linked to centers throughout mock draft season, which made sense in that the position was clearly a big need. There probably wasn’t enough said about the other needs on this team, though, like defensive playmaking and athleticism on the perimeter, which Cameron Carr will provide in droves.
Carr crushed it during the predraft process, which should’ve surprised no one. He has incredible length (a near 7’1″ wingspan jutting out of his 6’4.5″ frame), anti-gravity hops and an incendiary three-ball. His game is easy on the eyes, even if there are some questions about his creation chops.
It is entirely easy to envision him in a three-and-D role, although he needs to get stronger and more comfortable playing with physicality to really thrive in it. It also takes a good amount of optimism to picture him growing beyond that label, since his handle lacks wiggle, and his playmaking lacks vision.
Carr could have gone 10 picks earlier than this, and it wouldn’t have raised eyebrows (or received a harsh grade). This is awesome value at this spot in the draft, and Carr’s play-finishing should shine alongside a shot-creator like Luka Dončić.
Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation
Grade: B
Carr is knockdown three-point shooter on the wing with a 7’1 wingspan and the hops to dunk the ball and block shots at the rim. What’s not to like? Well, I worry he doesn’t have much utility in terms of driving and passing, and I think his defensive projection is a little overrated because he struggles to contain the ball. This is still a pretty good value play, and his shooting will definitely fit well next to Luka Doncic.
Kevin O’Connor, Yahoo Sports
Grade: A-
Luka Dončić said in a recent interview that he’d ideally like to be paired with shooters that can space the floor so he’s not doubled as often. Well, he got his wish here with Carr after the Lakers traded up to the No. 24 pick with the Knicks. You could have watched every Tennessee game for two years and genuinely not known that Carr existed. Then he transferred to Baylor, and led the team in scoring, shot nearly 40% from 3 on high volume, and looked like a 3-and-D role player who also has blossoming skills off the dribble. With NBA genes in his blood, as the son of former player Chris Carr, Cameron has the skills to make it in the NBA. But at 184 pounds with not a ton of games under his belt, he’s going to get introduced to the NBA’s physicality in a way college basketball never did. The Lakers could use his shooting and creation, though, as another wing on the roster.
Adam Finkelstein, CBS Sports
Grade: B+
Carr definitely slipped a bit, but his physical traits and shotmaking is hard to find at this point in the draft. Carr followed up on his breakout season at Baylor with a terrific showing at the combine. Has a rare overlap of bouncy athleticism, extreme length (7-foot-plus wingspan), and shot-making, which is the basis for high long-term upside projections. Carr is a true three-level threat who can be a tough shot-maker from the perimeter, a constant threat to rise and fire in the mid-range area, and a straight-line slashing threat.
Carr is one of the few perimeter prospects in this draft who can combine length, athleticism, and shot-making. He still has some maturing to do, but Carr gives the Lakers physical tools and shooting range to match. He lacks physical strength and may not have an NBA-ready frame, which could be initially problematic on both ends of the floor.
Stephen Noh, The Sporting Tribune
Grade: A–
The Lakers traded up one pick in order to select Carr, who slid from his projected range in the mid-to-late teens. This is a nice fit for him. He’s not great at creating his own shot, but he won’t need to while playing next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. What he can do is jump out of the gym and shoot 3’s. He’s the perfect play finisher to put next to those two. And he has one of the best gunners in NBA history in JJ Redick to draw up plays for him.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
