Los Angeles Lakers: 3 ways Brandon Ingram can improve

1. Become reliable at the free throw line

There’s plenty to be happy about Ingram’s ability to get to the line. Throughout his three years, his free throw frequency has increased, going from 2.7 to 4.8 to 5.6 attempts per game. In fact, this past season, he got fouled on 16.5% of his shooting attempts, which ranked in the 96th percentile of the league for his position.

However, he hit only 67.5% of his free throw attempts. That’s an okay number, but you’d expect more out of a ball-handling wing who should be an all-around threat offensively. He must capitalize on these attempts consistently.

For the most part, Ingram is pretty good at drawing and finishing over the top of the contact. His extreme length naturally creates these types of situations. Right now, though, he can’t make defenders pay for getting too physical with him. He is mediocre at best, and well-timed fouls can save defenses a few points rather than punish them.

The Lakers are in a position to forget this past season and get started off on the right foot for 2019-2020. If Ingram can make these improvements, among others of his own, he will be a more stable threat for a team that – as they stand now – need him.