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Los Angeles Lakers: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

July 5, 2016; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers draft picks Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac pose with vice president of basketball operation Jim Buss following their introductory press conference at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
July 5, 2016; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers draft picks Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac pose with vice president of basketball operation Jim Buss following their introductory press conference at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Lakers
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

If it weren’t for landing Brandon Ingram with the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Lakers’ summer would’ve been laughable. But no matter where they spent their money in free agency, the Lakers’ offseason wound up fitting in with the direction this franchise needs to go, if only because of this one move.

No matter where you stand in the Ben Simmons vs. Brandon Ingram debate, it’s irrelevant when grading the Lakers’ pick. When the Philadelphia 76ers took Simmons off the board with the first overall pick, the Lakers were left with the easy decision: taking the only other consensus top-two prospect who fell right into their laps.

A one-and-done product from Duke, this 6’10” small forward’s frame is reminiscent of Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo when they first entered the league. His 7’3″ wingspan is similarly all-encompassing, there’s a definite need for some protein shakes and somehow, a player that tall and lanky glides up and down the court with astonishing fluidity.

Though Durant may have been a bit generous when he said Ingram is farther along at this point than KD was when he first came into the NBA, the comparisons are there. Ingram may never develop into one of the greatest shooters in NBA history who can approach 50-40-90 shooting splits, but his athleticism, shooting, passing and high basketball IQ make for a promising start.

In his lone season with the Blue Devils, the 18-year-old Ingram put up 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals per game on .442/.410/.682 shooting splits. In five NBA Summer League appearances, he averaged 12.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 41.2 percent from the floor and 25 percent from long range.

Ingram obviously has to get stronger, and if he ever wants to make good on those unfair Durant comparisons, his ball-handling will need to improve as well. But the Lakers had the easiest decision in the draft at No. 2 and they didn’t mess it up, adding another potential superstar to their promising young core. That alone is enough for a top mark.

Grade: A+

Next: Draft Pick No. 2

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