The Los Angeles Lakers found their newest wing prospect on the first night of the 2026 NBA Draft, and they didn’t even have to sit still to get him. In a draft-night trade with the New York Knicks, the Lakers moved up one slot — from No. 25 to No. 24 — and selected Baylor’s Cameron Carr, a 6’5″ guard who turned a midseason transfer into the best season of his college career.

For Baylor, the selection continues a long tradition of NBA-bound talent under head coach Scott Drew. Carr becomes the latest in a growing list of Bears to hear their name called on draft night, and his path to this point — from a quiet freshman year at Tennessee to a breakout junior season in Waco — is exactly the kind of late-bloomer story NBA scouts love to tell.

How the Lakers Got Cameron Carr

The Lakers didn’t originally hold the No. 24 pick. They entered the night with the No. 25 selection but sent cash considerations to the Knicks to move up one spot, securing the right to draft Carr before another team could. It’s a small move on paper, but it signals how much value the Lakers’ front office placed on Carr’s specific skill set — perimeter shooting, length, and switchable defense — heading into an offseason where the roster around LeBron James and Luka Dončić is still taking shape.

Cameron Carr’s Baylor Stats (2025–26 Season)

Carr’s numbers at Baylor tell the story of a player who arrived in Waco and immediately became the engine of the offense. After two underwhelming, injury-interrupted seasons at Tennessee, he transferred mid-cycle and exploded into one of the Big 12’s most dynamic scorers.

Those numbers were good enough to earn Carr Third-Team All-Big 12 honors and a spot on the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team. He also led Baylor in blocked shots with 45 on the season — a notable total for a player who spends most of his time on the perimeter — and ranked among the conference’s top 10 in field goal percentage, made threes, and blocks. His 642 total points set a Baylor single-season scoring record for a sophomore and ranks fifth in program history regardless of class.

Player Profile and Scouting Report

NBA evaluators consistently describe Carr as a “3-and-D” prospect — a wing who can space the floor as a shooter while holding up defensively across multiple positions. He profiles as a high-level athlete with a 7-foot wingspan, giving him the tools to finish above the rim and disrupt passing lanes on defense even before his frame fully fills out.

Strengths

• Athleticism and finishing: Carr’s field-goal percentage on drives ranked near the top of all 2026 draft prospects, a product of long strides and explosive vertical lift.
• Reliable catch-and-shoot shooting: His three-point shooting off the catch was significantly stronger than his pull-up game, making him an ideal floor-spacer next to ball-dominant teammates.
• Defensive tools: A 7-foot wingspan lets him contest shots and rack up blocks that are rare for a player his size.
• Transition offense: Carr thrives in the open floor, where his combination of speed and length creates easy scoring chances.
• High statistical ceiling: Comparisons from scouts have linked him to NBA wings like Brandon Miller, Trey Murphy III, and Devin Vassell.

Areas for Growth

• Underdeveloped frame: Carr is still considered a “late bloomer” physically and will need to add strength to hold up against NBA-level physicality.
• Limited shot creation: He averaged just 3.1 assists per 40 minutes and rarely used the dribble to set up teammates, meaning his game currently leans on catch-and-shoot opportunities rather than self-created offense.
• Mid-range struggles: Carr shot only 10-of-38 on two-point jumpers this past season, signaling a gap between his rim attacks and his outside shooting.
• Defensive awareness: While his length produces highlight blocks, scouts note he can still improve his reads and team-defense instincts.

“Offensively, Carr’s game looks like one that should blend perfectly into the NBA. He’s a legitimate 3-point shooter who can attack closeouts, plays well off the ball as a cutter, and takes advantage of opportunities as a finisher because of his length.” — Sam Vecenie, The Athletic

Background: From Tennessee to Baylor to the NBA

Carr’s basketball journey started well before college. A four-star recruit, he played his early prep career at Manhattan High School in Kansas before transferring to Link Academy in Branson, Missouri, where he won a national title and starred alongside elite talent on the EYBL circuit. He chose Tennessee out of high school, but his time in Knoxville never matched expectations — an inconsistent freshman season was followed by an injury-shortened sophomore year that ended in a medical redshirt.

The turning point came when Carr transferred to Baylor. After a strong showing at the 2025 Summer World University Games in Germany — where he averaged over 18 points and dropped 26 in the gold-medal game — he carried that momentum straight into his lone season in Waco, instantly becoming Baylor’s go-to scorer under coach Scott Drew.

Carr’s basketball lineage also runs deep. His father, Chris Carr, spent six seasons in the NBA and famously finished as the runner-up to Kobe Bryant in the 1997 NBA Slam Dunk Contest — a fitting connection for a son who now joins the very franchise Bryant made legendary.

Cameron Carr’s Fit With the Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers have been searching for exactly this kind of player: a long, athletic wing who can defend multiple positions, knock down catch-and-shoot threes, and provide energy in transition. With LeBron James’ future role evolving and Luka Dončić now anchoring the offense as a primary shot-creator, Carr’s skill set as a complementary 3-and-D piece fits naturally into the Lakers’ timeline.

• Floor spacing: Carr’s catch-and-shoot reliability gives the Lakers another outside shooting option around their stars.
• Versatile defense: His length allows him to guard multiple perimeter positions, an asset the Lakers have lacked in recent seasons.
• Bench energy now, starter potential later: Most evaluators see Carr as an immediate rotation piece who can develop into a full-time starter once his frame and ball-handling catch up.
• Long-term timeline fit: As a 21-year-old prospect, Carr’s development window lines up well with the Lakers’ current core.

Why This Pick Stands Out

At No. 24, teams are typically looking for value, upside, or a specific need — and Carr checks all three boxes. He blends NBA-ready shooting with elite physical tools, a rare combination this late in the first round. Coming off a Combine performance where he reportedly scored 30 points and was considered a potential lottery pick by some teams, Carr’s slide to No. 24 looks, to many analysts, like one of the better value selections of the entire draft.

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