2016 NBA Draft: Winners Of The Draft
Los Angeles Lakers
No. 2- Brandon Ingram, Duke
No. 32- Ivica Zubac, Serbia
Even though the Los Angeles Lakers only had two picks, their selection of Brandon Ingram immediately makes them one of the winners of this year’s draft. He will be projected in the starting lineup along with D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and a center.
That foundation alone makes the Lakers holders of one of the most exciting young cores in the league along with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ingram has been projected by many to be the top player in the draft this year.
Comparisons of Kevin Durant have linked with Ingram because of his size, length and offensive ability. To put such a label on an 18-year-old simply isn’t fair, but it also isn’t unattainable if Ingram can be involved within head coach Luke Walton’s offense.
Although the addition of Ingram doesn’t make the Lakers immediate playoff contenders in the gauntlet that is the Western Conference, they could be a only a year away from being a very scary matchup. As the young core grows, success will come. And who knows, maybe this is the beginning stage of another dynasty being created in Hollywood.
Zubac is a big body at 7’1,” but the physicality he presents to go along with that size makes him overwhelming. There are indications that the Lakers could see Zubac in a jersey sooner than they thought:
Mitch Kupchak says that Ivica Zubac wants to play in the NBA next year "and we wouldn’t be opposed to that."
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 24, 2016
He has a great set of hands that will go well in pick-and-roll sets with D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson. The Lakers plan on pursuing a few big-named centers in free agency including Al Horford and Hassan Whiteside, so it would be all the better if Zubac does decide to come over and play backup minutes to quicken his development.
Next: No Picks? No Problem.