Despite a disappointing 11-19 record on the surface, the Los Angeles Lakers have seen tremendous growth from its young core of players this season, headlined by second-year forward Brandon Ingram and rookies Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma.
The trio has excelled at various points this season, all the while receiving praise from around the league, including from some of the biggest names in Kevin Durant and LeBron James. Other contributors to the Lakers’ development are Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr. and Julius Randle — all of whom provide sparks in their own respective ways.
There have been some growing pains along the way, as expected, but that especially holds true playing in a historically tough Western Conference.