NBA: Predicting Who The Top Five Rookies Will Be In 2016-17

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) gestures to the crowd while standing with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number six overall pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Brandon Ingram (Duke) walks off stage after being selected as the number two overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

3) Brandon Ingram (13/2 odds)

Brandon Ingram is an exciting talent that fits absolutely perfect in today’s NBA. His body type has been constantly compared to that of Kevin Durants with his spider-like arms and legs. He will be able to get his shot off against any defender that the NBA game throws at him.

With the Lakers, it seems that he and second-year point guard D’Angelo Russell will be the top two scoring options for the Kobe Bryant-less LA Lakers that will be looking for someone new to take the reigns of the franchise.

Ingram has the perfect opportunity that any rookie would kill for and that is the chance to be the number one option for one of the biggest markets in the NBA. The Lakers’ roster is nothing to get excited about and their playoff chances for next season aren’t much better than they were last year, but they do have plenty of young talent that should blossom in the coming years.

It would be a shocker if Ingram didn’t get the starting nod in his rookie campaign. He should be easily scoring over 15 points per game and at 6-foot-9 inches, he should be able to grab around 6 or 7 rebounds per outing.

Ingram is a top-3 favorite for the Rookie of the Year award according to the Bovada oddmakers and NBA fans should be expecting some big numbers from him from opening night.

Next: No. 2

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