Lakers secure Carr in draft-night trade with Knicks

The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired Baylor guard Cameron Carr following a draft-night transaction with the New York Knicks. Carr was selected 24th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft on 23 June before his rights were immediately traded to Los Angeles. In exchange for the guard, the Knicks received the 25th overall pick and cash considerations.

Carr’s path to the professional league involved a mid-season departure from the University of Tennessee in December 2024. He played 18 games for the Volunteers, averaging 2.3 points, before transferring to Baylor. Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes stated at the time that Carr provided no warning before leaving, describing the exit as simply walking out. Carr later posted on Instagram in January 2025, stating he was pursuing a “fresh start” while expressing gratitude for the Tennessee staff and fanbase.

During the 2025-26 season at Baylor, Carr averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. His performance earned him All-Big 12 Third Team honours and set the program’s single-season sophomore scoring record with 642 points. He will now join the Lakers roster alongside Dalton Knecht, a former Tennessee teammate who was selected 17th overall by Los Angeles in the 2024 NBA Draft.

The trade occurred during the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, which took place on 23 June. Other notable selections in the early rounds included Labaron Philon, taken 22nd overall by the Philadelphia 76ers, and Zuby Ejiofor, selected 23rd by the Atlanta Hawks. Carr is the son of former NBA player Chris Carr, who finished as runner-up to Kobe Bryant in the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest.

The specific financial value of the cash considerations exchanged in the trade was not disclosed. The nature of Carr’s reasons for leaving Tennessee remains defined by his social media statement regarding a “fresh start,” with no further details provided regarding his departure from the University of Tennessee.