After trading the No. 25 pick to the New York Knicks to move up in the draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Cameron Carr with the 24th overall pick this year. With many referring to the Baylor guard as the “steal” in the draft, it would appear the Purple and Gold have added a truly gifted asset to their lineup.
Cameron Carr’s arrival in Los Angeles comes at an intriguing time. With the franchise in the middle of some major roster changes, primarily to align with Luka Doncic’s vision for a title-contending squad, a rookie like Carr may find himself feeling out of place. However, when it comes to making an impression, it is safe to say that the Baylor guard has already left a mark on the Lakers’ fan base.
In a recent interview, the Lakers’ rookie was asked to play a version of “Would You Rather.” When asked about which NBA players he would like to guard, his responses were truly hilarious.
Interviewer:Â “Who would you rather guard? LaMelo Ball or Anthony Edwards?”
Carr:Â “Anthony Edwards.”
Interviewer:Â “Anthony Edwards or SGA?”
Carr:Â “Anthony Edwards… Wait. Who would I rather guard? Yeah, I ain’t dealing with the flopping. Anthony Edwards. I’m sorry.”
Cameron Carr on who he’d rather guard between SGA and Ant:
” Yeah, I ain’t dealing with the flopping, Anthony Edwards”
LMFAOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/0o4vBgvVZi
— BronMuse (@BronMuse) June 24, 2026
Despite his individual brilliance as a player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has gained a reputation for selling calls, flopping, and baiting for fouls. While some players have defended this approach, most do not hold it in high regard.
Before even making his NBA debut, Cameron Carr took a shot at two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Although Carr’s comment may not be received well by Gilgeous-Alexander and Thunder fans, he certainly won some hearts in L.A.
Sadly, his comments about Russell Westbrook during the NBA Draft Green Room had a comparatively negative effect. When speaking about players who inspired him, Carr shared:
“A big person I looked up to was Russell Westbrook. I mean, I really wanted to dunk like him. I liked how aggressively he played, and he always had a motor. So that is someone I wanted to play like. But now, I get to play against him.”
On paper, there is nothing wrong with being inspired by a player like Russell Westbrook. As a future Hall-of-Famer and arguably one of the most explosive guards in NBA history, Westbrook is a phenomenal model for an athletic young player like Carr.
Unfortunately, Westbrook’s time in Los Angeles was far from favorable. With many suggesting that Westbrook’s downfall began after his stint with the Purple and Gold, fans can only hope Carr’s career trajectory is different.
At the current juncture, fans may not have much to worry about. While Cameron Carr’s athleticism mimics Westbrook’s, his upside lies in his defensive versatility, two-way potential, and perimeter shooting.
Having averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game during his junior year at Baylor, Carr was impressive. Given that he also shot 49.4% from the field and 37.4% from three-point range over 34 appearances, it can be argued that he has the potential to be far more versatile than Russell Westbrook for the Lakers.
On an even more positive note, Cameron Carr has also shown an inclination to participate in the Slam Dunk contest like his father, Chris Carr. When asked whether he would go and win it for his father, who lost to Kobe Bryant in the 1997 Slam Dunk contest, Carr responded:
“Oh, I have to. I feel like it’s only right… If they put me in the Slam Dunk contest tomorrow, I will [take part]. Absolutely.”
Like his father, Cameron Carr also boasts tremendous jumping ability. Now, with the rookie showing some enthusiasm to bring back the energy at one of the All-Star Weekend’s most prestigious events, fans will certainly look forward to seeing him in action.
