Los Angeles Lakers is rebuilding its team, especially after Kobe Bryant retired from NBA, and with a new coach on board, Luke Walton. As the team gears up for the next season, words in the rumor mill are that the Lakers might trade its rookie Brandon Ingram for Nerlens Noel of Philadelphia 76ers.
According to SportsRageous, the deal to get Nerlens Noel would make sense for the Lakers, which is looking to have big men to man the shaded area. On one side, Sixers might not benefit with the trade if they acquire Brandon Ingram. His addition would be in conflict with Ben Simmons' role and therefore would not help Sixers in its goal of establishing a balanced roster. But then the Lakers may not be willing to sacrifice Ingram, who had a good performance last season. The Lakers took him second overall in the 2016 NBA draft, and expectations from him are high that he could help the team return to its former glory.
"If the L.A. Lakers convey a 1st round pick to Philadelphia in 2017, then the L.A. Lakers will convey their 2019 1st round pick to Orlando; if the L.A. Lakers do not convey a 1st round pick to Philadelphia in 2017, then the L.A. Lakers will instead convey their 2017 2nd round pick and 2018 2nd round pick to Orlando," the publication noted, citing a report from Real GM.
As reported by SportsBlog, 18-year-old Brandon Ingram is one of the two first-round rookie picks who are yet to sign their contracts. The other one is Domantas Sabonis of Oklahoma City Thunders. The publication noted though that the Lakers is just managing its salary cap and its options open in case it will be able to secure a better deal. Ingram could get as much as $24 million over four years.
