I don’t know if they’re trying to save face or exhibiting honesty, but these is an interesting take on just how much the Lakers reportedly covet Brandon Ingram.
The 76ers will reportedly draft Ben Simmons No. 1 overall Thursday, meaning Ingram will be heading to Los Angeles.
According to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress — Ingram has always been the target.
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.
The Lakers know Ingram isn’t an elite athlete and there are concerns about his bulk — but if he continues on the ascension he started at Duke, L.A. will return to some type of normalcy.