NBA Draft trade may haunt Knicks as Cameron Carr shines in Summer League

Cameron Carr stars as Knicks search for size on the bench

This means that the Knicks will have to attempt to win with more cost-controlled players, and the best place to come across them is in the draft. New York held the No. 24 pick in this year’s NBA Draft, but it ended up dealing it to the Los Angeles Lakers, who took Baylor standout Cameron Carr with the selection.

Devoid of much size and athleticism on the bench, the Knicks just might end up regretting this decision, as the explosive guard has looked like a diamond in the rough during summer league. Carr had been averaging 22.5 points per game through his first two contests before being benched for the entire second half on July 6, likely to avoid injury.

Besides backup center Mitchell Robinson, New York really had no height on its bench unit, and it seems like Carr could have filled that void. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby are two of the best three-and-D wing players on the planet, but there is a ton of stress and pressure placed on them with no real backup options at their position.

While Carr is listed as a guard, he’s unbelievably athletic and has a wingspan of over seven feet, giving him the tools to slide to a forward spot if need be. The worst part about the Knicks trading his draft pick is the fact that they gave it away for the rights to the next spot in the draft and cash considerations. 

Of course, it isn’t even a week in Carr’s playing career, so there’s no telling how his career will play out, but the team may have given up a strong contributor for next to nothing.