6. Brandon Ingram
A second overall pick labeled as the new Kevin Durant because of his length and athleticism. Brandon Ingram was the product of a poor draft that apparently featured only two good players. Ingram and Ben Simmons.
BI marked the point since the Lakers started to get serious on that rebuilding. With Kobe Bryant retired the Los Angeles Lakers needed another face of the franchise and Ingram was that face. With his physical gifts, skills and tremendous upside, he was considered the next All-Star in Lakers legacy.
A thin frame was what looked to stand between him and greatness, so he worked year after year putting on muscles and improving his skills.
He went from averaging 9.4 points in his rookie season to 16.1 in his sophomore until 18.3 last year. He was also given minutes as a point guard like the game today requires. He showed some serious promise this past season with strong performances post-All-Star break before a deep venous thrombosis blood clot issue made him miss the rest of the season.
Ingram was expected to be completely recovered and ready for next season, but he was a fundamental piece in the Anthony Davis trade, so the Lakers had to let him go.