Los Angeles Lakers: Power ranking the team’s assets

1. Brandon Ingram

Late into this past season, Brandon Ingram’s health became an extraordinary concern. Something nobody expected was for Ingram’s sore shoulder to mean that he had a blood clot.

Not too long ago, we saw Chris Bosh’s career terminate early due to blood clot issues. Everyone, including myself, immediately thought the worst, as the 21-year-old Ingram may never play another NBA game. Fortunately, not long after his diagnosis, Ingram had successful surgery to remove the blood clot.

Many remained speculative regarding Ingram’s future. On March 16, however, encouraging news arose Ingram’s future by reporting that Ingram’s surgery was to remove a structural issue, which caused his blood clot to arise.

I’m not a doctor by any means, but I do know when recurring issues are likely or not, based on where the issue stemmed from. A structural issue means that Ingram’s blood clot arose in result of another problem that was fixed for good, and therefore won’t reoccur. While it doesn’t guarantee that Ingram will ever suffer from blood clots again, it does make it much more unlikely. Simply put, if Ingram were to ever draw another blood clot in the future, it would be purely coincidental.

All that being said, Ingram’s value did take a hit from all of this, but a slight one at that. BI increased his scoring average from his first season to his second by seven points. Despite the Lakers adding the 27 points per game scorer in LeBron James, Ingram’s increased his scoring average again by another two points, totaling his season averages to 18 points, five rebounds, and three assists, roughly.

While Ingram’s production increased in an almost equal amount of playing time from last season, the silver lining is even more encouraging. After averaging 17 points per game in four games in October, Ingram went on to improve his numbers every month and make his biggest leap just before the injury.

Ingram went from 15 points per game in November to 16 points per game in December. Then, to 19 points per game in January followed by 21 a game in February. Ingram played just two games in March but averaged 28 points per game during that time.

After the All-Star break, Ingram played six games and averaged just under 28 points, over seven rebounds, and a couple of assists. The six-game stretch was the greatest stretch of BI’s career by far, and he did it with LeBron James back in the lineup.

Before the season-ending injury, Ingram was moving quicker, shooting better, and showcasing fluidity. I’ve watched Ingram develop over the past three seasons, and I can attest to his significant improvement from each season to the next.

He won’t be the next Kevin Durant or Giannis Antetokounmpo. He probably won’t be the next Paul George either, but his progression has been faster than George’s, Antetokounmpo’s, and even Kawhi Leonard’s.

He’s 21 years old and incredibly long. And Ingram’s health, progress, and breakout stretch last season makes him the most valuable Lakers asset.