NBA: Favorites For Rookie Of The Year After Ben Simmons Injury

Jul 12, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the Golden State Warriors at Thomas & Mack Center. Golden State won the game 85-77. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-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 /

4. Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers

Position: Small Forward
Age: 19 (9/2/1997)
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 2
2015-16 Slash Line: .442/.410/.682
2015-16 Season Averages: 34.6 MPG, 17.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.9 ORPG, 2.0 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 2.2 3PM

The inclusion of Los Angeles Lakers rookie Brandon Ingram is a bit obligatory. He has far too much skill and upside to be excluded from this list, but he’s also playing on a Lakers team that signed Luol Deng to a four-year contract worth $72 million.

The Lakers appear to be intent on bringing Ingram along at a relatively slow pace, and his thin frame makes it easy to understand why.

If Ingram sees the court on a consistent basis, then he has the potential to produce at a Rookie of the Year level. He’s a committed defender whose defense should either turn into easy offense in transition or be rewarded by head coach Luke Walton in the half court.

With the range and mechanics to knock down the 3-ball, it stands to reason that Ingram could be one of the best rookie scorers in 2016-17.

Ingram still needs to improve his upper and lower body strength, however, which is likely to hold him back in 2016-17. The fact that Los Angeles signed Deng, who plays Ingram’s position, to a lucrative deal is a sign that Ingram could spend a year coming off the bench.

Ingram could end up being the best overall player to emerge from the 2016 NBA Draft, but circumstances hinder his Rookie of the Year campaign.