PG: D'Angelo Russell
SG: Nick Young
SF: Brandon Ingram/Anthony Brown
PF: Julius Randle/Larry Nance Jr.
C: Ivica Zubac
Free Agents
PF Brandon Bass
SG Kobe Bryant (Retired)
C Roy Hibbert
C Robert Sacre
SF Metta World Peace
G Jordan Clarkson (Restricted)
PG Marcelo Huertas (Restricted)
PF Ryan Kelly (Restricted)
C Tarik Black (Restricted)
Who They Acquired
02. Brandon Ingram, SF Duke
The Lakers made the obvious choice, going with whom many considered the 1b to Ben Simmons 1a. Ingram probably won't be the star that Los Angeles craves, but we will be an excellent contributor in every area of the game and the kind of player that will attract free agents and can fit in pretty much any offense.
32. Ivica Zubac, C Mega Leks
In the second round, the Lakers got a steal a in Zubac, who was projected by many to be a sure-fire first round pick. Croatia's Zubac most likely fell because he wants (and presumably will) come to the NBA right away and wasn't interested in being stashed. He isn't ready to be a starting center, but in a back role of the bench Zubac could play 10-15 minutes a game as early as next season, especially if the Lakers aren't competing for anything, which is likely.
How They Fit
One of the biggest appeals of Ingram is that he fits really well with any team in any offense. However, despite the fact that he will likely be a starter and play many minutes for LA, it is important to remember the Ingram is far from a finished product and isn't the player he will be a few years from now. Starting out, Ingram will likely be limited to spot-up shooting and the occasional pick-and-roll opportunities as he adjusts to the physicality of the game. As he develops, Ingram projects as a secondary ball-handler who can play both forward spots, run pick-and-roll, and while he may never be an elite at-the-rim scorer, his pull-up game is something that could become a real weapon in the NBA. Ingram and an athletic big like Julius Randle as the role man would be difficult to contend with. Using Ingram as the screener is another possibility, where he can both pop or roll, with D'Angelo Russell as the ball-handler. At this point, Ingram is still learning the defensive fundamentals and should not be asked to guard the best opposing wing, however with defensive tissue paper in Russell and Jordan Clarkson as the projected backcourt, Ingram may have no choice but to take his lumps defensively. While eventually he can be a high usage player, Ingram can also be a low usage shooter/defender if LA is able to attract stars.
Zubac is definitely an old-style center, he doesn't have range to his game and is the most effective close to the basket, both offensively and defensively. Posting up, Zubac has good hands and feet, but his skills scoring there aren't what you call polished. However, at 7-1, 265 and still growing, there aren't going to be a ton of centers that will be able to matchup physically once his frame has fully filled out. Zubac will require offense to be created for him, either as a dump off or in the screen-and-roll game, therefore it would be wise to play him with a pure, passing point guard like Marcelo Huertas who can find him easy baskets as his other offense develops. Defensively, the further you move Zubac away from the basket at this point, the less effective his defense becomes. He isn't a pure shot-blocker, but his sheer size and reach make him an impediment at the basket. Where he needs to improve is defending on the moving, he isn't the kind of guy you want switching, but if he can just improve in the little areas like hedging screens then recovering, it will really help his defensive value. Pairing Zubac with a mobile power forward that can help him out would be wise.
What They Need Going Forward
With nine potential free agents this summer, the Lakers have a lot of needs and a chance to really re-make their roster with any number of free agents, from stars on down. While I am bullish on Zubac's potential career prospects, he is far from ready to be a starting center, which is LA biggest need. None of the Lakers other four starts project to be above-average defensive players, so a strong defensive center is a must (Dwight Howard? Just kidding.) Another wing player that could force Clarkson into a sixth-man role would be another option, particularly one that can shoot and play defense. Assuming that Huertas is retained, the Lakers should look to fill out their depth with strong defensive players that can mix-and-match with their more offensive focused starters.
In reality, none of the Lakers incumbent players have proved themselves to be starter level players yet, so if the Lakers can acquire a more proven young player, either in free agency or trade, then they should regardless of their current roster.
Oh and in what any way possible they can get rid of festering human boil Nick Young, they should.
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