Breaking down possible Lakers pick and 2016 NBA Draft prospect Brandon Ingram
The Los Angeles Lakers have needs littered throughout the roster. Even with lottery picks in the last two drafts (D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle) and a couple of high-value picks in Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr., the Lakers are still a team with plenty of holes. Subsequently, that’s why the 2016 NBA Draft is so crucial to the franchise in the wake of Kobe Bryant‘s impending retirement.
While it’s no certainty that the Lakers will keep their pick as it goes to the Philadelphia 76ers if it falls out of the top-three in the lottery, the front office and fans alike are counting on the selection to help further the ongoing rebuilding process in Los Angeles as a top-three pick would give the team the chance to add an exceptional young talent in what looks to be a relatively deep draft class in terms of top-tier prospects.
One such prospect is in action on Wednesday night for the Duke Blue Devils as freshman forward Brandon Ingram will take the stage in ACC play. While the Lakers might be holding out for the No. 1 overall pick in Ben Simmons, Ingram is projected as a possible top-three pick who would be one hell of a consolation prize if the Lakers were to get picks No. 2 or 3.
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Through his first 14 games at the college level, Ingram is averaging 16.4 points, six rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.5 steals in 30.1 minutes per game. Moreover, he’s shown nice efficiency with 48.3 percent shooting from the field and 37.3 percent from three. Even as just an 18-year-old freshman playing on one of college basketball’s biggest stages, Ingram has shown that he has the tools and the skills to produce at a high level against quality college-level competition—which is the best we have to offer in terms of scouting right now.
While better evaluations will be made as Ingram wears on through ACC play and more top-level competition, it’s pretty clear where the forward stands as a prospect as of right now. In terms of his physical tools, his offense, his defense, his mentality, and how he’d fit with the Lakers, here’s a full breakdown of Duke freshman Brandon Ingram.
Next: Physical Tools