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Los Angeles Lakers: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Carter Johnson

July 5, 2016; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers draft picks Ivica Zubac and Brandon Ingram pose with jerseys with general manager Mitch Kupchak before being introduced to media at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
July 5, 2016; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers draft picks Ivica Zubac and Brandon Ingram pose with jerseys with general manager Mitch Kupchak before being introduced to media at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Brandon Ingram (Duke) walks off stage after being selected as the number two overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Brandon Ingram (Duke) walks off stage after being selected as the number two overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft Pick No. 1

The first — and perhaps, most crucial — step for the Lakers in the post-Kobe Bryant era was their first round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

The pick was so crucial because the Lakers first had to procure it — the pick would’ve gone to the Philadelphia 76ers as a part of the Steve Nash trade had it landed outside of the top three — and because it would give the team the chance to draft a potential superstar to help fill the void of the one who just left.

After landing the No. 2 overall pick, it was obvious the Lakers were going to go one of two ways and either select LSU forward Ben Simmons or Duke forward Brandon Ingram. Philadelphia chose the former with the first overall pick, and the Lakers were more than happy to select the latter.

In a sense, Ingram might be the better fit for the Lakers as he can immediately contribute in two of the team’s desperate areas of need: three-point shooting and perimeter defense.

During his lone season at Duke, Ingram shot 41.7 percent from three point range and showed off tremendous defensive potential with his unique combination of length and mobility. It didn’t hurt that he was a prolific offensive player either, as his averages of 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game showed.

While he did struggle significantly in his first bit of professional competition, Ingram did show flashes of his silky-smooth, efficient scoring ability in the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 12.2 points a game on 41.2 percent shooting and posting a 22-point, five-board performance in the Lakers’ final game.

The only area of concern in Ingram’s game at this point is his wiry 195-pound frame as he struggled to overpower stronger defenders when driving the lane. This should rectify itself as he gets older and grows into his body, but he may have to get more creative in the short term to get shots off in the face of more physicality at the professional level.

Luckily, Ingram won’t be called upon to be the team’s leading scorer right away with Russell, Clarkson and Randle in tow and should be able to develop at a comfortable pace while still contributing.

Ingram may be a bit of a project right now, but his upside compares favorably to superstar Kevin Durant. Anytime you get a player of that caliber, it’s a good pickup.

Grade: A 

Next: Draft Pick No. 2

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