5 Los Angeles Lakers Storylines To Follow In 2016-17

How Much Progress Will Brandon Ingram Make?

When the Lakers landed Brandon Ingram with the No. 2 overall pick, gargantuan expectations were immediately heaped onto his shoulders. Especially with Bryant out of the equation, folks made the easy connection that the rookie could step up and fill the superstar role in L.A.

However, as many of you know, the early returns from Ingram haven’t been great.

After a promising Summer League showing, the rookie has looked like, well, a rookie during the preseason. Ingram is averaging 6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting a measly 32.4 percent from the field. The Lakers knew he’d come along slowly, which is why it’s no surprise he’ll start the season as a backup.

However, as the season rolls along, Los Angeles will be looking for progress from Ingram. He’ll get plenty of opportunities behind Luol Deng, which should allow him to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NBA at a leisurely pace.

So how much progress will be made? Will Ingram be starting by the All-Star break? Or will he spend the entire year on the bench–barring a Deng injury, of course? No one knows for sure, but it’s definitely a storyline worth watching during the 2016-17 campaign.