On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers officially announced their two draft picks in second overall pick Brandon Ingram, and 32nd overall pick Ivica Zubac. While no one is quite sure what to expect from Zubac, the pressure will be on Ingram to be a major contributor immediately.
Ingram has been given Kobe Bryant’s locker at the Lakers’ practice facility, and many are looking towards him and last year’s first-rounder D’Angelo Russell to take over the reins for the team and lead the Lakers into the future.
Ingram has already been in contact with Russell and according to Lakers reporter Mike Trudell, he’s eager to team up with Russell:
Ingram’s been talking regularly to D’Angelo Russell, and is eager to play with him. Has spoken of how Russell sees the floor at elite level.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 5, 2016
Ingram isn’t the only one eager as Lakers fans everywhere are certainly excited to see the pair grow together. The two fit very well as both are great shooters who can create for themselves and others, and are also effective off the ball.
Russell’s court vision is certainly something that will help Ingram, and he must look to take advantage of that. Last season the Lakers struggled with off-ball movement which cancels out Russell’s vision. Ingram can help to solve that issue.
Ingram and Russell are both incredibly talented and give the Lakers one of the best young cores in the NBA. If the Lakers are going to regain their standing amongst the NBA elite, these two will have to lead them.
Everyone will get their first chance to see Russell and Ingram together when the Lakers begin Summer League play on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans.