LOS ANGELES, Lakers rookie Cameron Carr was cleared for a possible NBA debut against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena. Coach JJ Redick confirmed the guard was available after a right oblique strain sustained during the preseason delayed his first regular-season appearance.
Carr participated in three practices with the G League’s Coachella Valley Lakers last week and came off the league-mandated injury report Saturday afternoon. The 21-year-old had experienced opening-night nerves almost two weeks earlier, even while wearing street clothes and supporting his teammates from the bench during their season-opening win over the Golden State Warriors. Those feelings returned Sunday as the possibility of playing became real.
Speaking to the Southern California News Group on Friday, Carr said he felt physically ready and hoped an early contribution would help him settle in. A deflection, a steal or another positive play could get him moving and ease his nerves, he said. He described the chance to make his debut as a “blessing” and said he was taking in the experience before stepping onto the court.
Selected 24th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, Carr brought a scoring background from Baylor, where he averaged 18.9 points last season. The wing, whose wingspan measures 7 feet, 1 inch, shot 49.4% from the field and 37.4% from 3-point range. Across seven appearances in the NBA Summer League and California Classic, he averaged 17.4 points on 42.3% shooting. He followed that with 19 points in the preseason opener against Sacramento, making seven of 13 shots, including three of seven from beyond the arc.
The son of former NBA guard Chris Carr identified strength and defensive development as priorities after being drafted. Five months into his time with the Lakers, he said he felt stronger and believed he was progressing on both sides of the ball. He credited opportunities to listen to and learn from the veterans ahead of him.
Redick said his expectations for a potential debut extended beyond shooting. He wanted Carr to keep learning the team’s system, execute defensive positioning and help responsibilities, bring physicality away from the ball, defend at the point of attack and pursue rebounds.
Another newcomer, Lawson Lovering, was also settling into Los Angeles. The 7-foot center learned Wednesday morning that the Lakers wanted to sign him to a two-way deal and had only hours to pack. Lovering, 23, signed a two-year contract after averaging 7.7 points and 7.0 rebounds for the G League’s Memphis Hustle last season. He said Sunday that he had practiced with Coachella Valley since joining the organization.
Lovering said he looked forward to setting screens for Luka Doncic and studying starting center Walker Kessler’s daily work to improve his own routines. He identified size, defensive effort, rebounding and hard screens as ways he could contribute, while emphasizing his willingness to handle the supporting tasks coaches requested.
