Ever since the Los Angeles Lakers landed the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft for the second consecutive year, the debate has raged on about who they should want between Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram.
The two prospects stand head and shoulders above the rest of this year’s draft class, leading many people to believe that the draft really starts with the No. 3 pick. The top two picks seem to be a foregone conclusion, and even though the Philadelphia 76ers pick first, it appears the Lakers will get Ingram, the player they have preferred all along, according to Jonathan Givony of The Vertical (h/t Anthony Irwin of Silver Screen and Roll).
In a draft many consider to have a significant dropoff after the second pick, the Lakers will be happy to “settle” for whomever the Sixers pass. Ingram is the player the Lakers would have targeted at No. 1 had they won the lottery, sources told The Vertical. He is a perfect fit for their roster and should generate a great deal of excitement about the future.
As Givony notes, Ingram is perfect for what the Lakers need to add to their young core. Their two biggest roster needs are at small forward and center, so Ingram could provide a solution at the three.
Ingram’s offensive game would be a great complement to the core, especially in new head coach Luke Walton’s system. His scoring ability and sharpshooting from the perimeter, combined with his defensive potential should have fans excited, if he does indeed wind up being the Lakers’ selection with the No. 2 pick.
Everything has pointed to Simmons going to Philadelphia, followed by Ingram to Los Angeles. In six days, we will see if it all comes to fruition.