The Los Angeles Lakers have been busy this offseason, but it is rookie Cam Carr's explosive Summer League performance that is really turning heads. After trading for Walker Kessler and bringing in several new players around Luka Doncic, the Lakers are still eyeing Jonathan Kuminga. NBA reporter Evan Sidery even wrote there is "mutual free agent interest between Jonathan Kuminga and the Lakers." But maybe, just maybe, the purple and gold already have their answer hiding on the roster.
Forget Kuminga, Hello Carr?
Yeah, Kuminga is out there, and the Lakers are working "behind the scenes to secure Kuminga’s commitment as their new wing addition." But look, this rookie, Cam Carr, has been one of the team's biggest standouts in Summer League. Isaiah Thomas, a legit hooper himself, knows what's up, saying Carr "can play, he can score, he can make plays, he can shoot the ball at a high level." Thomas thinks Carr is gonna "have a real big impact on the Lakers" because he can space the floor, catch and shoot, and create plays for others. That's big-time praise for a young gun.The Athletic Wing Who Can Create
Carr is an exceptionally athletic wing, and everyone can see his tremendous upside. Lakers Summer League coach Ty Abbott is already putting him in "situations that he's going to be in when he's with the Lakers and he's coming off of the bench or playing spot minutes." They are eager to give Carr opportunities to earn minutes, which tells you they believe in his quick development. Like Dalton Knecht showed in his rookie season, Carr is knocking down perimeter shots and has the athleticism to attack the basket. This dude can create offense, pure and simple. The Lakers need a long-term wing after LeBron James left, and Carr is quickly looking like a serious candidate for that role. They are not chasing a direct replacement for James, but a player who can develop into a long-term starter. Carr is showing enough promise that the Lakers might not have to rely solely on Kuminga. If his development keeps trending up, Los Angeles might have found their cornerstone wing for the future through the draft. That's a huge win for them, and it makes their future on the wing look a whole lot brighter.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.