NBA Mock Draft 2016: Lottery Set, Who Do Lakers Get at No. 2?

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Cupchak represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Cupchak represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 25, 2016; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) shoots over Miami Hurricanes forward Ivan Cruz Uceda (33) during the first half at BankUnited Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2016; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) shoots over Miami Hurricanes forward Ivan Cruz Uceda (33) during the first half at BankUnited Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6-9
Weight: 196 pounds
Wingspan: 7-3
DOB: 09/02/97

Perhaps it’s a bit of wishful thinking, but with Simmons going No. 1 overall to the Sixers, that leaves Brandon Ingram of the Duke Blue Devils to come to the Los Angeles Lakers. Not only does Ingram provide the Lakers a fantastic player with great upside at a position of need moving forward, but Ingram is also getting buzz from many places as the best player in this draft.

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Just looking at what he can do and what he brings to the table physically, Ingram is definitely the modern idea of what a wing in the NBA should look like. He’s ridiculously long for the small forward position with a 7-3 wingspan (measured at the 2015 Nike Hoop Summit), but also has the ability to both score from the perimeter and handle the ball to get into the paint and score as well. Moreover, his length allows him to be a massive pest and force on the defensive end of the floor.

For the Lakers, Ingram is the exact type of player that could bring the young core already in place together. Yes, he needs to keep eating 5,000 calories a day to bulk up and he’s not a perfect player as he is. However, he could thrive under Luke Walton and could ultimately take the Lakers another step towards relevance and even prominence.

Next: No. 3 Celtics

Schedule