Lakers rumors: Three reasons Brandon Ingram will be better than KD

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Mar 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton talks with Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) during the second half of a NBA game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Ingram is a cornerstone, not a centerpiece

The Lakers are vocal about being ready to build from Ingram up. Putting players in the best position around him in order for their plan back to being successful can pull through.

Compared to Durant’s time in Oklahoma City, it’s a much different story.

Russell Westbrook was drafted just a year after Durant, but in that year there was a wild transition. Seattle lost their basketball team, as they moved to Oklahoma City and were renamed the Thunder.

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This is important and worth noting for a few reasons. First, it gave Durant an odd place to be with the franchise. The team that drafted him was not the same team that he was drafted by, and now they have a just as explosive kid from UCLA in a new city.

What this meant was that Oklahoma City was always were Westbrook belonged from the start, while Durant was doing what he could to co-exist, even in just that one year difference.

Secondly, Golden State making a free agent move for Durant showed that he’s really just another asset. Sure, he’s a star and can go out any given night and average at least 20 points with some boards and assists, but he was a centerpiece.

Mainly, just for more entertainment.

Before Durant, the Warriors were fine. They went an NBA best 73-9 the previous season, and went after him in an effort to get revenge on LeBron James.

Ingram’s situation as a cornerstone means he’s the immovable piece of the franchise moving forward.

Without a doubt or desire to take away from that.

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