Report: Lakers To Take Ingram With No. 2 Pick In NBA Draft
By Ryan Mayer
One day after the Philadelphia 76ers reportedly told top prospect Ben Simmons that they would draft him with the number one overall pick in Thursday night's NBA Draft, the Lakers have reportedly followed suit with Duke forward Brandon Ingram. According to a report from ESPN.com's Chad Ford and Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers will make the 18-year-old small forward the second name called on draft night "barring a last-minute blockbuster trade offer".
In the report, Ford and Shelburne say that team officials met with new head coach Luke Walton for three hours 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." The team did consider other prospects in addition to Ingram.
"While the team carefully vetted several other prospects including Oklahoma's Buddy Hield and Providence's Kris Dunn, the feeling within the organization was the Ingram provided both the best fit and the most upside for the team."
Ingram would certainly seem to fit an area of need for the team following the retirement of Kobe Bryant. A wing scorer who averaged 17.8 points per game in his one season at Duke on 46 percent shooting from the field and 41 percent shooting from three point range, Ingram could slide immediately into the starting small forward slot next to presumably D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson.
Despite all of that, the sources for Ford and Shelburne did state that there is a possibility that the Lakers could trade the number two pick and outlined a scenario in which that would be considered.
"The Lakers don't want to trade the pick and are bullish on Ingram. However, any chance to get a proven young All-Star now would have to be seriously considered by the Lakers according to sources. The team plans to be very aggressive in free agency in July and a young All-Star caliber veteran could help them lure other elite free agents."
As of right now however, it looks like the first two picks in tomorrow night's draft are now set. The NBA Draft coverage begins at 4pm PT Thursday night on ESPN.
Ryan Mayer is an Associate Producer for CBS Local Sports. Ryan lives in NY but comes from Philly and life as a Philly sports fan has made him cynical. Anywhere sports are being discussed, that's where you'll find him.
