EL SEGUNDO – In a move that carried less drama than a bland Hollywood script, the Lakers selected the player everyone anticipated they would with the second pick in the NBA draft on Thursday - Duke forward Brandon Ingram.
The 6-foot-9, 190-pound Ingram, selected after the Philadelphia 76ers chose LSU forward Ben Simmons with the first pick, provides an immediate replacement at the small forward spot that Kobe Bryant left vacant when he retired after 20 seasons. While Thursday’s selection might have lacked surprise, it could be another step toward returning the franchise to competing for championships down the road.