Lakers sign perfect Dalton Knecht replacement after four-team trade involving Knicks

Lakers sign perfect Dalton Knecht replacement after four-team trade involving Knicks originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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With the 2026 NBA Summer League quickly approaching, franchises are rounding out their rosters to ensure they’ll be at full strength. 

For the Los Angeles Lakers, one notable pre-Summer League move was signing a 6-foot-5 guard who was involved in a four-team NBA Draft trade and has a legitimate opportunity to replace Dalton Knecht.

“Lakers have officially signed Cameron Carr to his rookie deal,” Offside’s Anthony Irwin reported Thursday.

Originally, the Lakers’ draft trade involved only two teams: Los Angeles traded the No. 25 overall pick to the New York Knicks for the No. 24 overall pick (which they used to select Carr). The Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns were late add-ons, according to a press release shared by the Stein Line’s Marc Stein.

“The Dallas Mavericks announced today (June 24) that they have acquired the draft rights to the 2026 25th overall pick Sergio De Larrea from the Los Angeles Lakers as a part of a four-team trade involving the Knicks and Phoenix Suns,” the press release noted. 

“As part of the deal, Dallas sent the draft rights to the 2026 30th overall selection Koa Peat to Phoenix, and the draft rights to Melvin Ajinca (51st overall pick in 2024) and two second-round picks to New York.”

Carr is among the most high-upside first-year contributors in the league. In addition to being an explosive athlete who can finish around the rim at various angles, the Baylor product is already a high-level perimeter shooter off the dribble and off the catch. 

Throw in the fact that Carr is a motivated defender who emerged as an underrated rim protector during his senior season, and the Lakers have a young stud who will pose an immediate threat to steal Knecht’s minutes next year if he remains with the franchise.

Carr averaged 18.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game with Baylor last year, shooting 49.4% from the field and 37.4% from beyond the arc. Fans will get their first glimpse of Carr in a Lakers uniform during the upcoming California Classic.

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