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Lakers Select Brandon Ingram #2 Overall

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Just as has been reported would happen, the Lakers selected Brandon Ingram #2 overall in the NBA Draft. The 6’9″ Duke product can instantly be penciled in at SF and joins a lineup of other young Lakers and Luke Walton to be a key piece of the team’s future.

We’ve already discussed Ingram’s game plenty, so there’s no need to cover that ground again right now. We’ll have more up in the coming days about his fit, strengths and weaknesses, and what to expect for this upcoming year and beyond.

Now, though, is just a time to be happy. The Lakers have added a young, dynamic piece to an already intriguing core.

Beyond the quality of his game on the court, the kid seems to have a good head on his shoulders and shown to be of good character. If you haven’t seen it already, this video profile of his journey to Duke and heading into the draft is worth your time.

Welcome to the Lakers, Brandon Ingram.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Mid-Wilshire says

    Great news. I’m very pleased. The Lakers’ core continues to grow…in more ways than one (quality, quantity, length, etc.).

    This is very promising.

  3. Fern says

    Im pretty sure the Lakers were going to pick either Simmons or Ingram all along. At least that was my impression. All that other stuff was due diligence and click bait baseless rumors…

  5. Lil pau says

    Delighted… But what’s all this nonsense on ESPN about Ingram not fitting well with DAR? What’s the argument? What kind of PG would be a better fit?

  7. stats says

    Darius thanks for the link. Nice video.

    I’m excited about this kid!! It’ll be a process with these young guys, but it should also be fun to watch their development (and that of their coach).

  8. AusPhil says

    Very happy right now. And for mine, the potential fit with DAR is great. ESPN just going with their usual “Lakers in crisis” type coverage to hype up a solid & potential-filled pick.

    Bring on pick #32!

  9. bluehill says

    Welcome Brandon! Looking forward to the first time our young core is on the floor together (well maybe the 20th or 30th time they are on the floor together!)

  11. LKK says

    The Lakers’ rise from the depths continues. A lot of things have gone right this offseason. Let’s hope it continues. Summer league should be very exciting. I’m wondering if Simmons vs. Ingram happens during Summer League? At any rate, these are exciting times in Lakerland. The future begins.

  12. rubenowski says

    I think they said Ingram wasn’t a good fit with Russell because Russell has a high usage rate. I think it’ll work though. They are both good shooters and with Clarkson we’ll have 3 good shooters from 3.

    I’m really liking the top 8 of this draft. I think it might even be as good as last year’s in the long run.

  13. John Citizen says

    We need a centre at 32, i hope all GMs believe all the crap being said about Thon Maker age so he could be available for us at 32.

  14. cookedduck says

    Great Video Darius. Thank you.
    I am excited to see how ingram fits in with DAR, Clarkson and Randle.
    Exciting times ahead

  15. John Citizen says

    We Lost Maker , went 10th, Waww, i am now disappointed and lost interest in the draft unless Mitch pull another Nance like move.

  16. AusPhil says

    Maker at #10 has to be one of the bigger shocks I’ve had whilst following a Draft. That’s a MASSIVE reach in my opinion.

  18. rr says

    @WojVerticalNBA: Orlando will send Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and rights to Sabonis to the Thunder, sources said.

  20. Tra says

    Brandon Ingram was a given .. Although it was an extremely long shot, but just like John Citizen, I was hoping that Maker would slip through the cracks and still be around when we selected at 32. With that being said, I definitely didn’t see him going so high at 10.

  22. T. Rogers says

    “Trading Ibaka suggests that OKC thinks Durant may be leaving IMO.”

    Getting Oladipo suggests they may be preparing for life after Westbrook as well. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Westbrook traded if Durant does leave in free agency.

  23. Anonymous says

    Anon — pass on Cousins unless you’re talking when he’s a free agent. I wouldn’t trade any of the kids for him.

  24. Fern says

    I dont really care who we draft at #32. I just hope we get the best player available regardless of fit. The odds against getting a Draymond Green or a Jordan Clarkson are astronomical. Thon Maker is liying about his age. That was a huge risk Milwakee took. We don’t need that kind of drama in Lakerland. Let the Bucks deal with that…

  26. bluehill says

    International guys going higher than expected. I wonder if some of these teams are looking to park these guys overseas, especially the Celtics. Could create some opportunities for Lakers at 32!

  27. Anonymous says

    The Lakers worked out Ellensen. I was hoping that Mitch would find a way to get him. Perfect center for the new NBA.

  30. Mid-Wilshire says

    The Lakers will probably take the BPA with #32. However, if they draft a 5 (which is a position of need), then I would expect that selection to come down to Chinanu Onuaku, Stephen Zimmerman, or Diamond Stone, possibly in that order.

    Of course, they’ll still need to get a starting center in free agency.

    We shall see.

  34. Buck Foston says

    Silver is 6 foot tall; He must be wearing platforms, or has the players standing in a ditch tonight.

  38. Barath Sundar says

    Ivica zubac

    Sounds like a good backup/prospect to make the team and to get tutored by kareem

  43. dxmanners says

    If this means the end of Sacre in Forum blue and gold, I love Zubac. Still need bigs in the NBA, just ask the Warriors.

  46. Anonymous says

    A healthy young Bogut would play 32 minutes for the Warriors. So traditional big men can still play in the NBA. In time Zubac can contribute for the Lakers. He’s about 20 pounds overweight and needs to get in better shape — still a baby at 19.

    We’ll need a frontline center via free agency but Zubac might be a future solution at the Five.

  47. Mid-Wilshire says

    Hindi,

    Zubac is considered one of the premier young (operative word: young) centers in the world. In the Under-18 tournaments in Europe, reportedly he killed it. He was absolutely dominant. He’s mobile without being particularly explosive, runs the court beautifully, is an excellent shot blocker, and is strong around the rim. Draft Express had him as a late 1st round pick.

    He just turned 19 (on March 18). So, he’s younger than D’Angelo Russell was when he was drafted last year.

    He’s probably a few years away before he becomes productive. But he’s 7-1, 260, is skilled, and has light feet. There aren’t too many 7-footers in the world that fit that description.

    Here’s a link that shows his highlights:

    http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ivica-Zubac-73314/

  49. Mid-Wilshire says

    Busboys,

    Zubac is not slow. He runs the court superbly and actually seems to be relatively nimble for a 7-foot center. Just check out the film. Zubac appears to be quite mobile. At least, that’s the way I see it.

  50. Vasheed says

    Lakers needed a Center and they got one. Zubac is huge and moves well for his size. He also has a great post up game. He isn’t a terrible free throw shooter, so he will likely develop a mid range shot.

    Assuming we keep Black, Zubac should offer a nice different look. I’m happy enough with this pick.

  51. bleedpurplegold says

    First interviews are online @lakersnation youtube channel…love the one with zubac, whom i havent seen much of so far, but he was projected to go mid first round…i also read that he has destroyed the competition in the u19 world cup

  52. Dom says

    Im trying to figure out the Kings clearly they are making a statement about not being able to retain or even want to retain boogie cousins. Now for me Boogie is one of the very few players i would exchange DAR for. How do you draft the greek kid, skal, get Bogdan Boigdanovich in trade already have Koufas, and plan on keeping Boogie

  55. Altemawa says

    thanks on the link for Zubac, Mid.
    he came out of nowhere. but since he’s a Center, young and really big, we can use him.
    Sacre wont return now? Sad but he needed to go.

    Overall, I am very happy with our man Ingram, and Zubac.
    We drafted one of the best of this draft class, and I am seeing him being an all-star in 2-3 years. I really hope he’ll become a superstar. DAR, JC, JR, Nance, and other guys, we have a very exciting team. I cant wait…
    Go Lakers!

  56. Busboys4me says

    Mid-Wilshire

    I actually meant slow for today’s NBA. Bogut has good explosiveness. Tristian Thompson and Whiteside do as well. Those are the bigs I would fear. Marc Gasol may not be himself anymore.

    My concern has more to do with our foreign scouting. From Slava Medvedenko to Sasha Vujacic we have made bad decisions. Marc Gasol was a great player but we freakin’ traded him to get his brother.