Los Angeles Lakers: The importance of Brandon Ingram’s development

There were many questions about the Los Angeles Lakers roster coming into the season. Probably the biggest question being who would be the number two to play alongside LeBron James?

LeBron James throughout his playoff runs has had two things. Shooters to space the floor and a number two guy who could put the ball on the floor and create offense. To this point, the Lakers have not identified that guy. Kyle Kuzma has emerged after a spectacular rookie season, but he struggles finding his own offense at times. He is better served playing off a guy that can create and dish for an open look.

The player who most likely will evolve into that guy is Brandon Ingram. Ingram possesses a unique skillset. He is 6’9″ with a 7’3″ wingspan, the size of a power forward with a guard handle package. He can shoot from the perimeter and initiate offense down the stretch in games. He really came on in his second-year ascending from a sub-par rookie outing posting 16 points and 5 rebounds a contest.

The next step for Ingram is his mindset. The shift for every great player is understanding that you are one.

Too often Ingram can fade into the mix instead of asserting himself in games. A glaring example of his potential came last season in an early season matchup against the Golden State Warriors. He finished the game with 32 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks in a loss. But what we saw was a glimpse of what Ingram can become. He was in attack mode the entire fourth quarter all while guarding the best pure scorer in the world, Kevin Durant.

If he could bottle the aggressiveness from that performance for every night you are looking at an All-Star caliber performer given his skillset. Given, this is only his third season, I hesitate to compare him to other young stars who have achieved great success early in their careers. Specifically, Jayson Tatum (who could have been a Laker, but we needed a point guard). Let us not forget, it took Giannis four years to become the player he is today.

That said, this is a huge season for Ingram. In my estimation, it is a season that will determine his status with the team long-term and not due to his talent or production. Dependent on who the Lakers sign next summer some decisions will have to be made in terms of who fits best with James. Kyle Kuzma is a fan favorite, but Ingram may have the most trade value.

The challenge for Luke Walton moving forward is getting Ingram more touches in spots on the floor where he can be successful.

James rightfully so, will demand a majority of the touches down the stretch of games. That said, for this Lakers team to be successful Brandon Ingram must become more of a focal point in this offense. He simply creates too many matchup problems for defenders across the association.

An argument could be made that despite the exploits of James, this team will go as far as Brandon Ingram ascends.

In today’s NBA, wins come when teams can create matchups to exploit. The Golden State Warriors have an embarrassment of riches that force you to defend all five positions as if they are a threat to score.

The Lakers too, have the pieces to be a matchup nightmare for teams. Los Angeles has an assortment of players that can both stretch the floor and finish around the rim. Oh, and they are all over 6’6″. Their length and athleticism are something that can be used to punish teams in the paint which has been one of their strengths early in this season. Brandon Ingram needs to become the catalyst of that group. We know what we are getting from LeBron, 27, 8, and 7.

For this team to take the next step and reach their goals this season, they will need Brandon Ingram to elevate his game.