Cameron Carr set to make NBA debut against Toronto

The Los Angeles Lakers added a new guard to their active roster on Saturday afternoon, clearing the path for Cameron Carr to make his professional debut.

Carr, the No. 24 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, was removed from the league-mandated injury report following a trio of practices with the G League's Coachella Valley Lakers last week.

Coach JJ Redick confirmed the 21-year-old was officially available pregame on Sunday before the Lakers faced the Toronto Raptors at Crypto.com Arena.

The rookie missed the season opener against the Golden State Warriors due to a right oblique strain sustained during preseason. He watched that first game of the 2026-27 season from the bench in street clothes.

Carr told the Southern California News Group on Friday that he feels physically good and is eager to shake off the nerves of his first appearance.

"I'm excited. Just ready to get the nerves out, make one big play, do something good, get a deflection, get a steal, do something that'll get my body moving, get the nerves out," Carr said.

At Baylor last season, Carr averaged 18.9 points per game on 49.4 percent field goal shooting. He also hit 37.4 percent of his three-point attempts.

In seven games during the summer, including the California Classic, Carr averaged 17.4 points on 42.3 percent shooting. In the preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings, he scored 19 points while shooting 7-for-13 from the floor and 3-for-7 from deep.

Redick said his expectation for Carr in the debut is to shoot well and learn the team's defensive system.

"If he gets an opportunity, hopefully he shoots the ball well and all that," Redick said. "But I think again, with all our young guys, continuing to learn our stuff, be good in our shell, be good with being a low man, be good with off-ball physicality, be good at the point of attack, crash, make shots, that's what we need from him."

The Lakers also secured a two-way center earlier in the week. Lawson Lovering signed a two-year contract on Wednesday after a few hours' notice.

Lovering, a 7-foot center, averaged 7.7 points and 7.0 rebounds for the Memphis Hustle in the G League last season. He has practiced with the Coachella Valley squad since joining the Lakers organization on Wednesday.