The Los Angeles Lakers genuinely think they snagged a huge bargain back in June when they picked guard Cameron Carr at No. 24 overall. It’s not merely a hunch, either; their head coach is practically shouting it from the rooftops.
Redick Spills the Beans on Carr’s True Value
JJ Redick, the man leading the charge for the Lakers, laid it all out for reporters during Thursday’s media day. He didn’t mince words, and what he said about Carr paints a clear picture. According to Redick, this isn’t merely raw talent they’re taking a flyer on. “The guy wants to play, he wants to learn, he wants to compete,” Redick declared. That’s the kind of relentless drive you absolutely love to see from a young player stepping into the league, right? That commitment to the game, that hunger, it’s infectious.
But here’s the real kicker, the line that makes you stop and think: Redick straight up revealed, “Where he was on our board, he was not No. 24. He was much higher.” Let that sink in for a second. They had this kid ranked significantly higher than where he actually fell in the draft. It means that while 23 other teams passed on him, the Lakers believe they got an absolute gem who, by their own internal metrics, should have been off the board much earlier.
Why This Is a Major Win for Development
Redick kept emphasizing how “very fortunate” the team felt about landing Carr. “We feel very fortunate that we were able to get Cam,” he reiterated, adding, “We feel very fortunate to get him and be able to develop Cam as an NBA player.” This isn’t merely coach-speak. This is a head coach clearly stating his team identified a top-tier talent and managed to grab him later than expected. It’s the kind of draft day scenario every front office dreams of, grabbing a player with lottery-level grades in the late first round.
Getting a guy you had ranked significantly higher means you beat the board, plain and simple. It’s the kind of move that can pay off big time down the road, especially when you factor in his apparent desire to “play, learn, and compete.” That combination of high internal valuation and a strong work ethic? That’s the foundation for serious player development in the NBA.
What’s Next for Cameron Carr
So now the focus shifts to the court. The Lakers are clearly all in on developing Cameron Carr as an NBA player, firm in their belief that they got themselves a true steal at No. 24. All eyes will be on how this kid’s drive translates into action and growth as he begins his journey. They’re banking on that “much higher” ranking to deliver.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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