Los Angeles Lakers: 5 takeaways from the 2017-18 NBA season

3. Big leaps by Ingram and Randle

With a majority of the preseason hype lying with the rookie class, Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle were not at the forefront of Lakers-centric conversations. But this pair of former top-10 picks were the two best players on the team this season after making great strides in their games.

We’ll start with Ingram, whose season shouldn’t be forgotten about despite missing plenty of games toward the end. Ingram’s statistical improvements speak for themselves, but the main aspect I take away from his season is how he never seemed overwhelmed on the court as his responsibilities increased. He can initiate the offense, and started using his length and skill to finish at the rim instead of settling for jump shots.

Julius Randle entered the season failing failing to come to a contract extension with the Lakers, making the fourth-year forward a restricted free agent this summer. Randle followed suit by reporting to training camp in ridiculous shape, making him stronger and more agile, something he showed by flying across the court on both ends of the floor.

He led the Lakers in points and rebounds per game while appearing in all 82 games this season. Randle still uses his brute force to finish at the rim, but it’s apparent his new frame allows him to take slower-footed bigs off the dribble while maintaining his strength to finish through just about any player in the league.

Defensively, Randle can guard all five positions, and is on the right track to become an anchor on that end of the ball, with or without elite shot-blocking numbers.

Randle should receive a healthy contract extension from the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, but it was a great dynamic to see him take a major step this season. The massive improvements between him and Ingram will be something I remember as turning points for their careers.