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NBA: 5 candidates for the 2017-18 Most Improved Player of the Year award

By Morgan Dunn

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on Anthony Morrow #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on November 22, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives on Anthony Morrow #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on November 22, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 28: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks past Cody Zeller #40 of the Charlotte Hornets during a 109-104 Hornets win at Staples Center on February 28, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 28: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks past Cody Zeller #40 of the Charlotte Hornets during a 109-104 Hornets win at Staples Center on February 28, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Brandon Ingram, Los Angeles Lakers

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor said it best in a recent piece:

"“A rookie’s shine wears off quickly, like how a new car depreciates the second it leaves the lot.”"

That’s pretty much what happened to Brandon Ingram last season. The rail-thin rookie struggled early in his career, and he had two other things working against him; he was the second overall pick in the draft and he played for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Expectations for Ingram were simply too high last season. I mean, the kid just turned 20 this September. Yes, things looked ugly when he shot less than 35 percent from the field in November last season, but the 13 points per game on 51 percent shooting he posted in March were a better reflection of the player Ingram is destined to be.

This might be one season too early to put him so high on this list, but he does have a multitude of factors working in his favor now. Lonzo Ball, the second pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, is a transcendent passer that loves to get his teammates going. Ingram’s shot selection will almost certainly improve thanks to Ball’s presence, and his shooting will be a huge factor in his development. The Lakers have a lot of young talent, and Ingram is arguably the most talented. The franchise knows that they need him to thrive for their rebuilding project to be expedited.

Ingram looked excellent in his lone summer league tilt, in which he dropped 26 points and looked the part of a former second overall pick. If things click for the Lakers this season, expect a big year from this second-year pro.

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