2016-17 NBA Awards Season: Top 10 Rookie Of The Year Candidates

Mar 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) passes off past Philadelphia 76ers forward Richaun Holmes (22) and forward Dario Saric (9) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 112-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 11

March 5, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) shoots against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Brandon Ingram

This season was not really what people were expecting from Los Angeles Lakers rookie Brandon Ingram. Though his skinny frame and that gaudy Luol Deng contact suggested it’d be a slow going for Ingram early in the season, most fans hoped he’d bypass Deng in the starting lineup on a tanking team and submit a strong case for the Rookie of the Year Award.

Averaging 9.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 28.8 minutes per game, Ingram hasn’t really done that. The 19-year-old is only shooting 40.5 percent from the field and 29.7 percent from three-point range, letting everyone know his untapped potential will take some time to unfurl.

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/850561183945969664

However, Ingram has shown glimpses of future greatness over these last few weeks, averaging 13.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on 49.5 percent shooting since the All-Star break.

His three-point shot still needs work and he’ll have to bulk up a bit, but Ingram shouldn’t be labeled a bust by any means. He may not emerge as the savior this Lakers franchise is waiting for, but his stronger second half of the season suggests he’ll be very good in his own right.