Okay, so maybe that headline is misleading. The Lakers are very likely to pick whoever the 76ers do not pick from the Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram duo. But with the 76ers reportedly telling Simmons he will go #1, the Lakers have reportedly made up their minds that Ingram will be their guy.
Ramona Shelburne and Chad Ford have the intel:
Barring a last-minute blockbuster trade offer, the Los Angeles Lakers intend to select Duke freshman Brandon Ingram with the second pick in the 2016 NBA draft Thursday night, league sources told ESPN.
The Lakers spent three hours huddled with new coach Luke Walton on Tuesday night before signaling to multiple league sources that Ingram would be their choice if the Sixers select Ben Simmons with the No. 1 pick.
As for their reasoning, it’s pretty straight forward. More from ESPN:
Sources say Lakers officials believe Ingram is a great fit for the organization and a potential All-Star player down the road. His shooting and ability to defend multiple positions fit a huge need for them. Ingram has been ranked No. 2 on ESPN’s Big Board since December and is widely considered the consensus No. 2 pick in the draft by rival general managers.
As Shelburne and Ford note, the only thing that could derail the Lakers’ plans of taking Ingram is if they are offered a young All-Star caliber player in a blockbuster trade. That, of course, is unlikely at this point. Danny Ainge has already tried to use the #3 pick and other assets to pry several players who fit that profile from their teams (Gordon Hayward, Jimmy Butler), but has been rebuffed.
Yes, the #2 pick in a “two player” draft has more value than the Celtics’ #3 pick, but the tea leaves are saying teams with established, young-ish, all-star level players are still trying to add to their own cores to build teams who can make a deep playoff run, not trade their best player for the potential of a draft pick.
In a way, this was always expected. Rumors in the past week or so have had the Lakers considering alternatives or hinting the 76ers could decide to take Ingram, but those whispers seemed more about instigating intrigue where there was little to be had. So, the Lakers will, seemingly, get the player who offers the best of both worlds for them. Tonight can’t get here fast enough.
R says
All the I intrigue for us fans is about who the Lakers pick at #32. Since the Warriors stole Draymond Green at #35 a few drafts ago, I’ll be fairly satisfied with similar results for the Lakers this year at #32. (Yes I am kidding).
Clay Bertrand says
The Reports are that Phil Jackson is going to use Derrick Rose to lure Kevin Durant!! Who knew Durant had been secretly pining to play with BROKEN DOWN guys!?!??!?!?!?!?!?
Cmon Mitch, get on the phone!!! All we have to do is sign Danny Granger and Brandon Roy!!! Durant will just HAVE to come here!!!!
Nice try PHIL!!!!!
Seriously though, the silly season is gonna have some strange happenings!!!! It all starts TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!
I hereby officially withdraw my pronouncement that Thon Maker is a SURE FIRST ROUNDER. These foreign guys all lie about their ages to fraud their way into the higher picks. Both Maker and “The Chinese Guy” are among the highest profile guys this year with questionable ages that can’t be easily verified. Both may still go in Round 1, but not without teams having reservations.
Find us a Diamond tonight Mitchy!!!!!
Busboys4me says
I will continue to predict Thon goes anywhere from 43 to 52. Too many question marks. I want the little PG, Demitrius Richardson. A ltitle undersized but great character and hustle. He and Ingram might rub off on Russell and Randle.
Busboys4me says
Jackson not Richardson.
Hale says
“With the number 2 pick, the Lakers select Brandon Ingram… With the 32nd pick, the Lakers select a barber.”
DancinMarkMadsen says
I am nicknaming Ingram “Country Comfort”. He is about to be set for Dr. Pepper and Chick-Fil-A for life.
R says
In ’72 Portland picked La Rue Martin at #1 over Bob McAdoo and Dr J(!).
Martin’s not a barber, but he works for UPS.
You never know … Draymond Green not only went #35, but he was an “old” guy when drafted, having played college ball for four years. Yet amazingly, he’s exhibited pretty good upside hasn’t he?
LT Mitchell says
The intrigue for me is whether the team trades a young asset for another top 5 pick.
R says
Clay are u referring to Diamond Stone?
He might be available.
Instead of drafting a likely bust, tho, I’d rather see the lakers pick the best player available at #32.
Michael says
About foreign guys lying about their age is true. I’ve seen cases personally where a kid will claim to be impossibly young, yet built like someone three or four years older. In places such as Sweden or Finland it happens because the families get better social benefits from the government – more money. These players originally hail from Africa.
Shaun says
If Phil is able to get Noah or another 5 on the cheap – getting durant could be possible – plus they would have another max spot next year – would be a pretty good team in a conference where there is only 1 team to beat
A Horse With No Name says
As promised, the unofficial Forum Blue & Gold mock draft contest:
Rules of engagement:
1. Name the top ten picks
2. Name the laker’s 32nd draft selection, two guesses
3. Should the lakers buy a late pick, name that “Clarkson steal” player. (Don’t worry about the pick number.) Let’s go with 2 guesses again.
Okay! Here’s my shot, and hope some of you join in! Winner will be sent a pair of very short purple and gold shorts, and a Fletch wig. . . .
Top ten picks: 1. Simmons 2. Ingram 3. Jaylen Brown 4. Chris Dunn 5. Buddy Heild 6. Jamal Murray 7. Marquese Chriss 8. Domantas Sabonis 9. Jakob Poetl 10. Deyonta Davis
laker’s 32nd pick: 1st guess: Patrick McCaw, UNLV 6’6″ 2 guard; 2nd guess: Chinanu Onuaku , Louisville 6’10” center
Hypothetical Bought Pick: 1st guess: Pascal Siakam, New Mexico, 6’10” PF, 2nd guess: Caris Levert, Michigan, 6’7″ pg/2 guard
Anonymous says
Shaun: Durant is not going to New York. IF KD leaves OKC he’s stepping into a situation where he’s the missing link on a team that is already championship caliber. He doesn’t have time on his career clock for messing around on a team full of ifs and maybes.
Despite appearances the Knicks aren’t that close. Rose is a question mark and Noah, even when healthy, saw his production dip. Melo is older and missed much of last season with an injury. KD could very well find it’s he and Porzingas against the world.
Shaun says
1. Simmons
2. Ingram
3. Dunn – later traded by the celtics
4. Bender
5. Murray
6. Hield
7. Chriss
8. Brown
9. Sabonis
10. Peotl
32.
A: Thon Maker
B: AJ Hammons
Need a legit big with no one on the roster – hoping for thon but would be happy with throwback hammons in that he could be a dominant big like shaq/bynum just because of his size
Steal
A: Malcom Brogdan
B: Gary Payton the 2nd
Vasheed says
1. Simmons
2. Ingram
3. Dunn
4. Brown
5. Hield
6. Murray
7. Bender
8. Chriss
9. Davis
10. Poeltl
32
A: Hammons
B. Yabusele
Steal
A. Qi
B. Uthoff
Buck Foston says
1. 76ers – Simmons
2. Lakers – Ingram
3. Celtics – Brown
4. Suns – Chriss
5. Timberwolves – Bender
6. Pelicans – Murray
7. Nuggets – Hield
8. Kings – Dunn
9. Raptors – Sabonis
10. Bucks – Labissiere
#32 – Stephen Zimmerman / Zhou Qi
Steal – Pat McCaw / Jarrod Uthoff
matt says
Here’s mine again
1 simmons
2 ingram
3 dunn
4 chriss
5 Murray
6 hield
7 bender
8 brown
9 sabonis
10 poeltl
32 bentil or yabusele
Steal. Ka felder or whitehead
dxmanners says
Lakers at #32 hoping for…
McCaw
Maker-how could you pass if he drops this low?
Hammons
Nik says
1. 76ers – Simmons
2. Lakers – Ingram
3. Celtics – Bender
4. Suns – Dunn
5. Timberwolves – Murray
6. Pelicans – Hield
7. Nuggets – Chriss
8. Kings – Brown
9. Raptors – Poeltl
10. Bucks – Davis
#32 – Diamond Stone / Malik Beasley
Steal – Gary Payton 2 / Kay Felder
matt says
Horse.
Bender out of top 10?
bleedpurplegold says
1. 76ers – Simmons
2. Lakers – Ingram
3. Celtics – Brown
4. Suns – Bender
5. Timberwolves – Murray
6. Pelicans – Dunn
7. Nuggets – Sabonis
8. Kings – Hield
9. Raptors – Poeltl
10. Bucks – Chriss
At 32, yabusele or qi
Steal: i go a different direction with my first choice if i may….you said i dont have to worry about the number of this pick 😉
if he drops, they draft up for labissiere to steal him and use #32 on it
If they buy a low pick, i hope for Zipser as i have seen plenty of him in europe…he would be a major steal if he develops like i expect him to
If i am not allowed to take a higher pick, i’d take payton2 as well
Good luck to all of you!!!
Will says
http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/draft_simulator/view/225413/
Vasheed says
@Busboys4me,
Draftexpress had Jackson rated like around 16th best prospect. Yet I have seen mocks where he drops into the 30’s or lower. If he fell to 32 I would snatch him up immediately. I just don’t believe he will drop out of the 1st round. 😉
Busboys4me says
I can dream can’t I?!?!
A Horse With No Name says
matt: Crazy oversight; didn’t mean to skip Bender. Here is my edited update (although I should probably be disqualified from a chance at winning):
1 Simmons
2 Ingram
3 Brown
4 Dunn
5 Heild
6 Bender
7 Murray
8 Sabonis
9 Chriss
10 Poetl
Busboys4me says
1. Simmons
2. Ingram
3. Dunn
4. Brown
5. Hield
6. Murray
7. Bender
8. Chriss
9. Davis
10. Poeltl
32
A: Demetrius Jackson
B. Bentil
Steal
A. Pascal
B. Thon Maker
Busboys4me says
Switch Bentil and Pascal…Dang, am I disqualified?
Ryan says
1. SImmons
2. Ingram
3. Chriss
4.Brown
5. Bender
6. Dunn
7. Murray
8. Heild
9. Poetl
10. Sabonis
32. Zimmerman/Onauku
steal: Brogdon
Buck Foston says
INGRAM!!!!!!!!