Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves Welcomed Cameron Carr With Warm Message, Reveals Lakers Rookie's Dad

Incoming NBA rookie Cameron Carr hasn't played a single professional game yet. But his journey in the league has already proven exciting and wild, and it all began on June 23, the night his dream came true and he got drafted into the NBA.

Initially, Carr was drafted by the 2026 champions, the New York Knicks, with the No. 24 overall pick. Shortly afterward, he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for the draft rights to Sergio de Larrea, moving from one iconic franchise to another, from the East Coast to the West Coast, in a matter of hours. It also appeared to be a happy move, with several Lakers stars welcoming Carr into the family, as his father, Chris Carr, revealed in an interview with TMZ Sports.

The interviewer asked Carr's father if anyone had congratulated him yet. He replied by mentioning arguably the two biggest Lakers stars at the moment.

"Luka [Doncic] and Austin Reaves have already texted him and said 'welcome to the family,'" Chris revealed. "It's just a great opportunity for him. God-willing, he'll stay healthy and be able to come in and just get a chance to get an opportunity."

Cameron's father, Chris, comes from a place where he can advise his son about what it takes to succeed in the NBA.

Chris spent three years at Southern Illinois, where he steadily developed into one of the team's top scorers. He averaged just 3.9 points per game as a freshman before breaking out with 22.0 points per game over 32 contests in his final season.

That strong finish helped him earn selection by the Phoenix Suns with the 56th overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft. Across his three college seasons, he averaged 13.5 points per game.

Chris went on to enjoy a six-year NBA career. He played for the Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Jersey Nets, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, and Boston Celtics. He averaged 6.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists across 297 regular-season games.

Chris also appeared in four playoff games, all of which came during his first two seasons in the league. He played in three postseason contests for the Suns as a rookie and one with the Timberwolves in his second year.

Chris may not have had a long or decorated NBA career, but he has shared the court with some of the best players in the world. That experience should allow him to offer valuable advice and insight as Cameron begins his own professional journey.

Cameron Carr Reacts to Being Traded to the Lakers

Being drafted to a team that's won the NBA Title the previous season and that's maintained its core seems great, but it might also be a double-edged sword. Yes, you become part of a team with a winning culture. However, playing time is less guaranteed.

Rookie Cameron Carr doesn't have to find out via firsthand experience, though, since the New York Knicks traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers on draft night.

While he might have gone through a rollercoaster of emotions, he seems extremely excited to be part of LA. When asked by NBA interviewer Lauren Green what he thinks of the Lakers, he only had positive things to say.

"I think of greatness and rich basketball tradition, [and] excitement," Carr said.

When asked about the possibility of playing with LeBron James and the other Lakers' stars, he seemed sure that they'd get along great.

"I'm going to fit in just fine," Carr said. "We're gonna be best friends, all of us."

With how warm Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves welcomed him to the team, Carr might actually be onto something.