Los Angeles Lakers Land Potential Star, Relative Unknown In 2016 NBA Draft
In Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac, the Los Angeles Lakers added a potential superstar and a relative unknown with defensive upside for the 2016 NBA Draft.
After months of anticipation, the top of the 2016 NBA Draft unfolded in the exact fashion that many believed it would.
Following the Philadelphia 76ers’ selection of former LSU forward and consensus top prospect Ben Simmons, the Los Angeles Lakers played it safe and took Duke forward Brandon Ingram with the second overall pick.
In Ingram, the Lakers were able to nab a player whose talent and potential have warranted comparisons to the likes of star forwards Kevin Durant and Paul George, and who was incredibly high on the draft board for Mitch Kupchak and company — and reasonably so.
Ingram’s most enticing skill is his sweet shooting stroke, most notably from three-point range where the Lakers struggled mightily as a team last season.
In his lone season at Duke, Ingram shot 41 percent from deep with many of those threes coming from NBA range. That will undoubtedly boost the Lakers’ league-worst 31.7 percent clip from deep.
Even more than that, Ingram presents the Lakers’ best chance to have a bonafide two-way threat. Ingram has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim with his length and athleticism, while his averages of 1.1 steals and 1.4 blocks a contest indicate a player with defensive capability waiting to be tapped.
With his unique frame and scoring prowess, Ingram will undoubtedly get the opportunity to start and contribute right away for a young Lakers squad and has all the tools to become a potential superstar down the road.
While the selection of Ingram was all but expected, the team’s 32nd overall pick was more of a unexpected surprise and somewhat of a head scratcher for Lakers fans.
Coming out of Croatia at just 19 years old, 7’1 center Ivica Zubac is a relative unknown to even the most novice of basketball fans.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
However, just a peak at some of his highlights from his time on the Croatian national team and Serbian professional squad Mega Leks (which also boasted the 21st overall pick, Timothe Luwawu) shows a big with elite agility, a high motor and the length and athleticism to turn away shots at the rim.
Zubac obviously won’t be asked to come in and start right away as the Lakers will look to address their hole in the middle in free agency, where top centers like Hassan Whiteside and Al Horford will undoubtedly be targets.
However, the team doesn’t have much depth in the middle as Tarik Black is the only reliable center currently on the roster, so Zubac adds much needed height and defense to a Lakers squad that was less than good in the post last season.
More hoops habit: 2017 NBA Mock Draft: An Early Look Ahead
All in all, Lakers faithful can count their 2016 draft night as a victory because the team added a player with star potential and a defense-oriented big who both fill major team needs.