.jpg)
20 hours ago
5
The Los Angeles Lakers were among the centers of attention during the 2026 NBA Draft.
Toward the end of the first round, the Lakers traded the No. 25 overall pick to the New York Knicks for the No. 24 overall pick. Los Angeles used their new draft selection to select former Baylor star guard Cameron Carr, who should be deemed a legitimate candidate to move ahead of Dalton Knecht in JJ Redick’s rotation (if Knecht is still on the roster by the start of the 2026-27 season).
Shortly after the trade, which later expanded into a four-team deal involving the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, Carr sent a clear message to Knecht.
“Our connection is still strong, that’s still my guy,” Carr said about Knecht, according to Lakers Nation’s Daniel Starkand.
For clarity, Carr and Knecht were collegiate teammates at Tennessee during the 2023-24 season. While Carr was a non-factor that year (he averaged only 1.6 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 14 contests), Knecht emerged as a bona fide first-round pick with an NBA-ready physique and offensive game.
The 24-year-old contributed a career-best 21.7 points per game while shooting 45.8% from the field and 39.7% from three. Unfortunately for Knecht, though, his game hasn’t translated well to the pros thus far.
The No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 draft has struggled mightily as a playmaker and shot creator with the Lakers through two seasons, which explains why Los Angeles is currently shopping him around the league. While Carr has yet to appear in an official NBA game, he’s off to a tremendous start in the California Classic Summer League.
The 21-year-old finished with 19 points and two rebounds in his first Summer League contest vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, showcasing his ability to score in various ways with and without the ball.
While it’s evident that Carr and Knecht still possess a tight bond, it doesn’t change the fact that the latter is in danger of getting replaced if he doesn’t play his cards right.
More NBA news:
English (US)