Lakers Rookie Finally Set For Long-Awaited Debut Following Injury

Support Local Media - Click to Add LA Sports Report as a Preferred Source on GoogleLos Angeles Lakers guard Cameron Carr isn’t on the Lakers’ injury report for Sunday’s game against the Toronto Raptors, lining him up for his NBA debut.The Lakers drafted Carr, 21, with the 24th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he had a brilliant stretch during the Summer League and preseason with the team.Carr averaged 17.4 points per game across seven games in the NBA Summer League in Vegas and the California Classic, also hauling in 2.9 rebounds and an assist per game. He featured in two preseason games, scoring 24 points over a total of 35 minutes before an oblique injury sidelined him for the final three games of the preseason.The Lakers acquired Carr via trade with the New York Knicks on draft night, moving up from No. 25 to No. 24 in the draft, and they’re sure to get him some playing time against the Raptors on Sunday.Is Cameron Carr Good?While he’s yet to feature for the Lakers in an official NBA game, Carr’s track record throughout college and the preseason are more than enough to excite Lakers fans.After spending his first two collegiate seasons on the bench for Tennessee, Carr transferred to Baylor, where he became a star.He averaged 18.9 points per game with the Bears alongside 5.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists, earning a spot in the 2025-26 All-Big 12 team. His ability to rebound will certainly be a plus for the Lakers given their current situation, and his tendency to shoot the 3-ball is good for the team as well.ESPN’s Jeremy Woo thinks the 6-foot-5 guard will fit well with the Lakers, saying “his athleticism and shooting likely to play well off Luka Doncic, so it’s a very good fit for him.”While he’s almost certain to see the floor, the his role for the Lakers may not be a huge one. Austin Reaves will command most of the minutes next to Luka Doncic, and offseason signings Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton and Ziaire Williams also block Carr’s path. That being said, head coach JJ Redick is still looking to find him some time.“Yeah, again, I mean, we’ve got six or seven wings that have an opportunity to play,” Redick said before the season. “We’re going to play more guys this year. We’re just naturally deeper. We have the luxury of doing that, if we’re healthy with this roster.“So there’s going to be an opportunity for him. Those opportunities may be here and there; he may be part of the rotation. I haven’t made any decisions on that so far, but he’s certainly off to a great start.”Sunday’s game against the Raptors begins at 6:00 p.m. PT.The post Lakers Rookie Finally Set For Long-Awaited Debut Following Injury appeared first on LA Sports Report.