Though the first two picks of the NBA Draft were thought just to be a formality, we now know that to be true. The Los Angeles Lakers will draft Brandon Ingram with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, according to ESPN's Chad Ford and Ramona Shelburne:
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 on Thursday night, league sources told ESPN.
The Lakers spent three hours huddled with new head 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.
The Lakers believe that 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 on the floor 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.
Philadelphia told Simmons yesterday that they will pick him first overall, leaving Ingram for the Lakers.
LA has reportedly targeted Ingram throughout the entire draft process and would've taken him No. 1 if they had won the lottery, and are very happy to get him at No. 2.
Ingram averaged 17.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for Duke last season.
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