How the Roster Changes Will Impact Brandon Ingram
Brandon Ingram is only 21-years-old and has been in the league for three years. It is easy to see that his potential is through the roof. Ingram can get to the basket in one stride and has a nasty, fluid jumper that will only get better with time. The player who will probably benefit the most from the Lakers’ off-season additions from a production standpoint might be Ingram.
Ingram’s lanky body type prompted comparisons to Kevin Durant coming into the league, but he may never reach that lofty comparison. As the team leader in scoring last year, Ingram needs to be appreciated for what he is, a lengthy scorer who is only to get better overall as he ages even if it will take time for him to develop.
While Brandon’s potential is there, it’s important not to overlook his need to improve. He genuinely struggled with his scoring efficiency as a pick-and-roll ball handler, as a transition ball handler, in isolation, and in hand-off sequences. Being able to make plays more within the flow of the team’s half-court offense and not as an initiator will benefit him and will help his development.
Let’s not forget that Ingram has been at his best when filling an off-ball role in transition situations, in spot-up, and as a cutter. The arrival of LeBron James and the acquisition of other playmakers like Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson will allow him to be used in those particular sequences more. Being able to spend more time off the ball could perhaps even enable him to add new dimensions to his repertoire like off-screen sequences too.
It will be interesting to see what level of involvement that Ingram will end up having as a playmaker with all of these scoring pieces. He could be the secondary wing scorer that the Lakers need alongside LeBron if he manages to make the necessary strides in his development, whether it is during this upcoming season or at a later point.
Next Up: How the Roster Changes Will Impact Josh Hart
