NBA: Top 10 Candidates For Rookie Of The Year Award In 2016-17

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver holds a basketball while posing for a photo with draft prospects from left Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) , Ben Simmons (LSU), Brandon Ingram (Duke) and Kris Dunn (Providence) before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) poses at media day at Toyota Sports Center.. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Brandon Ingram

It’s not often that the No. 2 overall pick is not guaranteed a starting job on opening night, but that may be the case with Brandon Ingram after the Los Angeles Lakers went out and signed Luol Deng to a four-year, $72 million contract.

In a rebuilding year centered on youth development, however, there’s no question Ingram will get his opportunities under head coach Luke Walton. Even if they don’t come on opening night, once the losses start to pile up, this 19-year-old Duke product will get his chance to shine as a starter.

So Brandon Ingram could be opening-night starter at SF - my money is still on Deng initially - but per Luke - nothing decided yet
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) August 31, 2016

Opening with the third-best odds in Las Vegas to win Rookie of the Year, Ingram averaged 17.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 blocks per game on .442/.410/.682 shooting splits for the Blue Devils. He posted 12.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game on 41.2 percent shooting in five Summer League games as well.

Next: Top 10 Candidates For 2016-17 Defensive Player Of The Year

Ingram will need to get stronger and become a more efficient scorer, especially off the dribble. But when your game is frequently compared to Kevin Durant‘s, that’s a special kind of talent who shouldn’t be overlooked in the Rookie of the Year conversation.