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2017 NBA Rookie Ladder: Is Brandon Ingram A Future Star?

By Nathan Grubel

Nov 29, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) defended by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Brown (21) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) defended by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Brown (21) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) grabs a high pass in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) grabs a high pass in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

Jamal Murray’s caught fire of late and now he has some questioning whether he should’ve been the first guard off the board.

Kris Dunn and Buddy Hield have both struggled more than expected. While Murray got off to a slow start in the summer, he’s beginning to find his rhythm as a trusted scoring option.

Murray just completed a stretch of 20-plus points in three straight games, and three of his last five overall. He shot well from the field overall in those contests. Murray converted from deep, hit his free throws and found ways to finish inside.

Being able to score from all three levels of the floor consistently was a knack on him in college. He coudl always shoot the lights out, but could he actually finish well enough to keep minutes?

His mid-range percentages of 35 percent and below from farther than three feet from the basket per Basketball-Reference doesn’t excite me. But on shots right at the rim he’s hit on 53.3 percent of his looks.

The game off the dribble will come in time, as he showed the touch from there in college. He has a decent handle to create separation, it’ll just take some work and repetition to get that part of his game down.

Murray’s scoring ability makes him a valuable player for the Denver Nuggets indeed. Is he a better option to start next to Emmanuel Mudiay in the future? He just might be.