Happy Thursday, ClutchFam! Today we have another exclusive interview from our Summer League series, as Lakers rookie sensation Cameron Carr sat down with ClutchPoints Tomer Azarly to talk about joining the Lakers, the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program, and more. Enjoy!

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📍 Newsletter Exclusive: Every edition, we'll feature exclusive reporting, interviews, and intel from ClutchPoints insiders Brett Siegel and Tomer Azarly that you won't find anywhere else in your email inbox!

LAS VEGAS — With the 24th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Cameron Carr from Baylor University. Like the other Cameron taken in the NBA Draft, the six-foot-five guard is no stranger to the NBA. Cameron's father, Chris Carr, played six seasons in the NBA for the Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Jersey Nets, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, and Boston Celtics.

Following a workshop hosted by the league as part of the Rookie Transition Program, Tomer Azarly spoke exclusively with Carr about adjusting to life in the NBA, including everything from building relationships with coaches and referees to financial planning.

Tomer Azarly: You obviously have the backing of an NBA family, but this is a big lifestyle change for you. What did you take away from that first day of the Rookie Transition Program?

Cameron Carr: Yeah, I think some of that stuff is very, very much necessary. Like, I mean, not everybody has an NBA background, especially like their father. So I feel like it's a good outlet for people and it helps us like come together more.

Tomer Azarly: What was the most interesting thing that you really wanted to learn coming into that thing?

Cameron Carr: Ooh, I'm going to say… I mean, we went to this most recent one here at the Summer League; they had us walk around with the tablets. That was pretty cool. They had us do the referee section. They got to let us meet the refs, and they talked to us about calls and not getting calls. So I thought it was pretty cool.

Tomer Azarly: Walk me through that time with the tablets. What was that?

Cameron Carr: Yeah, basically it just keeps you participating in each station. It helps you to learn about the NBA, how it's run, how the referees referee games, how coaches coach, and everything. I mean, then you go to the business side, it teaches you about like what's more important, a better team or like a loyal fan base, like it's stuff like that.

Tomer Azarly: Referees are obviously a big part of this game. What did you learn about working together with them?

Cameron Carr: I'd probably say that one, I mean, it's basketball. It's very unpredictable. You never know what's going to happen. You can't script it out before it happens. But I feel like just understanding them, giving them the space to explain why the call was the way it was. And then I'm also just hearing you out. Not everything is an argument. Sometimes, you've just got to ask, 'what should I do there?' And learn from it.

Tomer Azarly: Gambling has become very prevalent in sports, and it's kind of unavoidable. I know that's something that they went over with you guys, and I'm sure it will continue to. What was your biggest takeaway from that?

Cameron Carr: Yeah, stay away from it. Don't touch it. I mean, that's the biggest thing I took away from it. Just have nothing to do with it. Keep it very, very simple, which is that's an 'X.' There's an 'X' over that.

Tomer Azarly: You guys are set to receive and deal with life-changing amounts of money. What's something you learned from that about how to approach handling that?

Cameron Carr: Save, save, save. Be greedy when it comes to your money. Save your money. And so, financially, I have a really good financial team around me. And so, try to be ahead of it so then I can look back 10 years from now and be like, you know what, I'm glad I did that, or I'm glad I made this move.

Tomer Azarly: You guys had Chris Bosh and some other vets in attendance to give you guys advice. What did you take away from the former players?

Cameron Carr: Yeah, I feel like a lot of them are kind of more about direction. I feel like a lot of them have been where we all want to go, especially right now. They just keep emphasizing to enjoy this moment. Like, try not to stress about it, just enjoy it, because you get to do this every day.

Tomer Azarly: Did you watch Bosh at all growing up? Were you at all starstruck?

Cameron Carr: I'm not gonna lie, sometimes when I see these NBA guys, like I said, my pops was in the league, and so, I've been there. I don't get starstruck anymore. It's just like, 'oh man, that's my guy.'

Tomer Azarly: What are your thoughts on being a Laker? That's a storied franchise, probably the most storied in basketball. Has it sunk in for you yet?

Cameron Carr: Man, this reality hasn't set in yet; it's probably going to take a little bit. But when it hits me like, man, I play for the LA Lakers. But, I mean, of course, exciting. It's a rich tradition, a team and players that came before me, so all I can do is act for them, right?

It is the dawn of a new era for the Los Angeles Lakers after the departure of LeBron James. After a long holdout, James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. Surprisingly, he agreed to a two-year deal worth $8 million, which the Lakers could have easily given him.

In a report from ESPN's Dave McMenamin, James' agent, Rich Paul, insisted that the four-time MVP needed a new challenge. Paul also appeared to take a subtle dig at the Lakers.