1. The New Hotness
Anyone Lakers fan that says that they aren’t first and foremost anticipating Brandon Ingram and D’Angelo Russell working together at Summer League is either lying or delusional. Despite the tremendous talent of other player on the roster and even other players that will be traveling to Vegas this week, that’s the duo that could really change the fortunes of the franchise and the duo that everyone wants to see.
What remains to be seen, though, is how these two guys will be able to play together. There are definitely signs that there are good things on the horizon, but until fans see it in action it’s only assumptions. Ingram and Russell could work in the pick-and-roll sure, but perhaps the rookie’s biggest advantage that he brings to the table for the second-year point guard is finally giving Russell a reliable outside shooter to kick the ball out to.
Next: Should the Lakers Trade for Russell Westbrook?
The duo of Ingram and Russell is the Lakers greatest asset right now either as two players growing together or as a package that could be sent away in a trade (I am not endorsing this in the slightest). Summer League will give everyone the chance to see right off the bat whether their relationship is something to get excited about immediately or if it’s something that might need a bit of cultivating before it flourishes.