With the 2026 NBA Summer League starting up, now is the time to get a good look at the incoming rookies from the 2026 NBA Draft. For the Los Angeles Lakers, they made away with the 24th overall pick, Cameron Carr. They also signed two undrafted free agents, Peter Suder and AK Okereke, to two-way contracts. Undoubtedly, each player has demonstrated great talent and potential during their time in college. However, now that they are transitioning into the league, major questions will be posed to each of them. Let’s explore one question for each Lakers rookie as they begin to participate in Summer League.
2026 NBA Summer League: 1 Question For Each Lakers Rookie
Cameron Carr
Question: Will His Strength Be An Issue?
Carr has almost everything that the Lakers would want from a wing player. Whether it be his tantalizing athleticism, incredible shooting, or defensive potential, Carr can be a great Laker who perfectly fits next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. In fact, he has already shown out in a positive way during the California Classic, putting up 19 and 26 points in his first two games. While he did lose his first game to the Golden State Warriors by a huge margin, what he demonstrated in those games inspires confidence in his potential.
However, Carr does have several questions surrounding him that he can address with his play in Summer League. Specifically, the biggest question for Carr is whether or not his underwhelming strength will be an issue for him. For him to reach his potential as a high-level wing, demonstrating that he won’t be undermined by his strength is a must. During his time in college, Carr has shown that he can be overwhelmed by physicality on both ends at times. Against NBA-level athletes, Carr will need to improve his strength to better handle the rigors of the NBA.
As it stands now, Carr has not seen any noticeable drop in production due to his lack of strength, besides a couple of possessions. Nevertheless, it is something to keep an eye out for Carr as he makes his way through the California Classic and into Summer League.
Peter Suder
Question: Can He Keep Up Athletically?
Miami(OH) guard Peter Suder is one of the two undrafted players that the Lakers signed to two-way contracts. Suder impressed this past season as the reigning MAC Player of the Year, showing off his ability to score the ball and be a solid playmaker for a team that went 32-2. He is a talented scorer from the mid-range and can knock down shots from beyond the arc. For Suder, the big question surrounding him as a prospect is whether or not he can keep up athletically against NBA-level athletes.
While the competition in Summer League is a step below that of the players in the NBA, it will serve as a good test for Suder and his abilities. Based on the two games he played in the California Classic, Suder has not held up well against the level of athleticism there. He has been consistently burned on defense as opposing players burst right by him, and he can’t create much separation to consistently get a shot off. While he has more games to prove himself, Suder must demonstrate he can adjust to the increased athleticism.
AK Okereke
Question: Is His Shooting Real?
Filling the second two-way spot for the Lakers is Vanderbilt forward AK Okereke. The six-foot-seven Okereke has demonstrated himself to be a sturdy forward with an intriguing scoring profile and shooting potential. He has also shown defensive versatility, possessing the size and length to defend multiple positions. With his skill set, Okereke has the potential to be a solid 3-and-D wing for the Lakers.
For Okereke to become that, he must prove whether his shooting is actually real. This past season, he shot 40% from three, but on only 2.8 attempts per game. If Okereke can prove that his shooting is real and that he can consistently hit threes, there is a place for him in the league. As it stands right now, he has continued the trend of his high-percentage but low-volume shooting.
Featured Image: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
