Redrafting the 2016 NBA Draft:
Selections: SF Brandon Ingram (2), C Ivica Zubac (32)
In a very weak 2016 NBA Draft class, the Los Angeles Lakers were able to grab two of the only eight players to have over 10 career win shares to this point. I would say that’s pretty good. For example, Ivica Zubac has 10.9 career win shares and the mean win share total amongst 2016 lottery picks was just under 10. That’s pretty excellent.
In hindsight, Brandon Ingram appears to be bound for superstardom in New Orleans with Zion Williamson as his running mate. Ivica Zubac is playing admirably for the Los Angeles Clippers as a role-playing big man. They are both bonafide impact players in the NBA with Ingram playing like a star and Zubac doing his thing.
If the Lakers looked back:
New Selections: SF Brandon Ingram (2), SG/PG Malcolm Brogdon (32)
The only change the Lakers could have made was trading out Ivica Zubac for star guard Malcolm Brogdon. The sharpshooting combo guard is playing an excellent role for the Indiana Pacers and is ranked amongst the best defenders in the league to boot.
Zubac’s production is great, but Brogdon is literally the only player drafted after him in 2016 that has a claim to being more productive. There were not a ton of steals in the 2016 draft, but the Lakers got one or two, however you look at it.