Lakers Rumors: What to do with Brandon Ingram and LeBron at SF
By Jason Reed
The most recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors have transitioned from Paul George to LeBron James. However, one man is in his path – Brandon Ingram.
Water is wet, fire is hot and LeBron James is the best basketball player on the planet. The three-time MVP heads into next season with a new dancing partner, Isaiah Thomas. Thomas certainly will help James in his pursuit to bring in title number four this season. However, bringing in Thomas also signals a shift in Cleveland, going hand-in-hand with the latest Lakers rumors.
One problem lies in LeBron coming to Los Angeles. The best small forward to ever do it is heading to a team with a small forward that was deemed untouchable – Brandon Ingram.
For a long time, the biggest Lakers rumors were surrounding Paul George and his eventual return home to Los Angeles. The Lakers need a superstar and George has measured up to be the perfect candidate to increase his image in Los Angeles. This seemed to be a win-win, it seemed to be the perfect partnership. Well, until the $500,000 tampering fine.
Now, that focus shifts to the best basketball player in the world, LeBron James himself.
The reports started back in June. Many speculated that James would head to the City of Angels to take on a new challenge: the Western Conference. While speculation was split between the Lakers and Clippers, those stones were set in Los Angeles early.
Then, seemingly cryptic tweets were sent out by James. James called the city of Los Angeles his home, not because he plans on playing there, but because he owns a home there. Still, the sports world blew up anticipating James’ next step.
May have to make a day trip up there when I'm back home in LA bro!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 9, 2017
Fast forward to early September and the Cavaliers have swapped point guards with the Boston Celtics and have brought the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first round draft pick. Thomas, unlike Kyrie Irving, is on an expiring contract. The move’s purpose is as clear as day: let’s win now, and get ourselves ready for a post-LeBron dry spell.
Whether or not LeBron will come to the Lakers is yet to be seen. Los Angeles still needs to free up cap space. There is one crucial move that must be made to get LeBron, but that moves still leaves the log jam at small forward.
The first, and least likely, route to take is to trade Ingram. Ingram has huge promise behind him and could be packaged with a larger contract to bring in another star with James. While LeBron does love his superstars, Magic Johnson seems keen on keeping Ingram and will find alternatives.
The next option, and the smartest on paper, is to start LeBron and have Ingram come off the bench as a sixth man. Ingram can come on as a shooting guard, transitioning to a small forward when LeBron sits down. Playing behind LeBron is great, yes, but this may just impede Ingram’s growth.
They could also start him at shooting guard. However, while he does have height and some physical assets on his side, his range and speed will be much better utilized at small forward. Small forward is the position Ingram is built for in the NBA. While he may be a decent two guard, that is not the route to take.
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Instead, the Lakers should move the superstar in this situation, LeBron James. James is getting older and playing small forward has put a tax on his body. James has run NBA offenses for nearly 15 years, it is only a matter of time that father time catches up to his freak athleticism.
That is why a move to power forward makes sense. James can slow down and play a stretch four role. While he would be inside battling for rebounds much more often, he could slow his game down and show us how good of a scorer he really is.
That is another reason why the Lakers are such a great fit for James. His whole career James has banked on being the playmaker. In Los Angeles, James joins a young Lonzo Ball that may take over a near identical role to James. With Ball running the offense at the point guard, James can show us his often underrated scoring.
Next: Trade packages for Lonzo Ball
At the end of the day, LeBron James coming to Los Angeles is merely Lakers rumors until he suits up in the purple and gold. However, if that day does come, he should make a career switch to the power forward position.