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NBA: Ranking all 30 starting small forwards for 2017-18

By Gerald Bourguet

Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images /
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25. Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers

Brandon Ingram largely underwhelmed as a rookie, averaging 9.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game on .402/.294/.621 shooting splits. So it’s a little concerning that this potential breakout star has put up 9.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game on 31 percent shooting from the field and 11.1 percent 3-point shooting in four preseason games.

Four preseason games is not cause for alarm, especially since he’s only 20 years old. But if you watch Ingram play for this young Los Angeles Lakers team, it looks like he’s forcing the issue a little too much as he tries to live up to Magic Johnson‘s lofty expectations.

At 6’9″, Ingram will have the length and size advantage over most small forwards. He just needs to fill out and start delivering on all the pre-draft talk about shooting efficiency, ball-handling and Kevin Durant-like potential first.