Los Angeles Lakers: Did The Lakers Draft The Next KD In Brandon Ingram?

The Los Angeles Lakers took Brandon Ingram with the second pick in the NBA Draft as expected; have they gotten the next Kevin Durant in the process?

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Duke forward Brandon Ingram with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft, carrying with him the high hopes to put the squad back into the playoff picture.

Ingram comes to the league at a crucial time for Los Angeles. The team will be without Kobe Bryant for the first time in 20 seasons and the forward is expected to make an immediate impact on the court.

Ingram’s perimeter shooting is invaluable to the Lakers, immediately giving them the ability to spread the floor. At 6-foot-10, he draws comparisons to Thunder superstar Kevin Durant for his length and range.

Early scouting reports project that Ingram is more well-rounded and NBA ready than No. 1 pick Ben Simmons, even if his ceiling isn’t expected to be as high.

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To begin, it’s the hope that his presence on the perimeter will open lanes for Julius Randle to work in the low post. His versatility should also allow him to switch and create problems for the opposing defense.

There is also the goal of him becoming the third offensive threat, with expected growth from D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson in the offseason to be more effective on both ends of the floor.

The Lakers will be seeing Ingram in action early as he will be playing alongside the young members of the squad in the NBA summer league where new coach Luke Walton will begin to strategize how he will use his team.

That is not to say Ingram is a world-beater all around. Last listed at 195 lbs, the forward is expected to go on a weight training regiment in order go bulk up to avoid being overpowered in the post.

Already, the Duke Blue Devil has said that he is already adding weight, with reports that he has already added 20 lbs to his frame.

It is the Los Angeles Lakers highest hope, of course, that Ingram grows into a lethal threat from the perimeter and mid-range like Durant.

Now in Hollywood, Ingram will have to face the expectations of being someone who helps turn the Lakers around. It all starts with outperforming his peers in his rookie season.

Keep in mind, the Lakers took Russell over Jahlil Okafor and notably Kristaps Porzingis in last year’s draft, both ending ahead of the guard in Rookie of the Year voting.

Unlike Russell however, Ingram was the consensus number 2 pick. While attention will be on the development of players like Ben Simmons, Buddy Hield and Dragan Bender, it will be up to Ingram to show why he is the most NBA ready of the group.

Also chosen by the Los Angeles Lakers in the draft was 19-year-old Ivica Zubac, a center out of Croatia. Zubac was taken at No. 32 in the second round.