For the last few years, high school phenom and LSU star, Ben Simmons has been the projected first pick of the 2016 NBA Draft. Multiple sources have already reported that the Philadelphia 76ers, who own this year’s first pick, has informed Simmons he will indeed be the first name called on draft night. That means the Los Angeles Lakers are on the clock. The Lakers, who finished with the second worst record in the NBA, were fortunate enough to land the second pick in the draft, a draft known to have two superstar potential players.
With the second pick in the NBA draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select Brandon Ingram. That is very likely going to be what we hear on Thursday night. Brandon Ingram, according to ESPN, ranked the number 3 prospect out of high school for 2015, averaged 17.3 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game in his first and only year at Duke. Ingram also shot 41% from three point land and 44% overall from the field. His numbers may not be as impressive as the 19.2 PPG, 11.8 RPG and 56% FG that Simmons put up as a freshman at LSU, but the potential is nearly identical. Ingram has been compared to one of the NBA’s best current players, Kevin Durant. Ingram, like Durant, is listed as being ‘underweight’ for his size. Ingram stands at 6 feet 9 inches and is listed at being 190 pounds. Teams had similar concerns for Durant who was also drafted number 2 overall in the 2007 NBA draft by the Seattle Supersonics, one pick after Greg Oden who was selected by Portland. I believe it is safe to say that if the draft was allowed to be redone, Kevin Durant would easily be the top pick of that draft. Brandon Ingram will be hoping for similar success that Durant has had in his career.
Ingram’s game is very similar to Durant’s. Ingram can take advantage of smaller defenders by shooting over them. He can also take a bigger defender to the perimeter where he is more than capable of knocking down the outside shot. Ingram is also very aggressive attacking and finishing at the basket. He has a very impressive offensive game, one that typical freshman in college do not possess.
The Lakers have had success the last two years in the draft. In 2014, they drafted Julius Randle with their first pick and Jordan Clarkson in the second round. Last year they selected D’Angelo Russell out of Ohio State, and even though he showed some immaturity signs, he showed flashes of how high potential is. Brandon Ingram should fit very well with those guys and be able to develop under new head coach Luke Walton. The Lakers aren’t known for building through the draft, and unless something unexpected happens in free agency, the Lakers will be relying largely on Ingram to help turn the team around.
Despite the Lakers having workouts with multiple draftees, expect Brandon Ingram’s name to be called for the Lakers. The Lakers may not get Ben Simmons, who is being considered by some the best draft prospect since LeBron James, but settling for a guy being compared to Kevin Durant isn’t a bad consolation prize. The Lakers will take time getting back to the glory days, but selecting Ingram is a big step in the right direction.
It is now being reported by Chad Ford and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN that the Lakers are planning to draft Brandon Ingram with the second pick.
Stats are according to ESPN.com
