Lakers draft rumors: No chance Brandon Ingram gets past Los Angeles at second overall, according to report

With the 2016 NBA Draft less than a month away, rumors concerning how the Los Angeles Lakers will use the second overall pick are flying fast. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has said that the team does not plan to trade their first rounder, but there have still been reports that the team could swap it for other players.

If the Lakers hold to their plan and draft a player with the second overall pick, it will likely be one of two teenage forwards: Brandon Ingram of Duke, or Ben Simmons of LSU, whichever one the Philadelphia 76ers pass on with the first pick. Bryan Colangelo and the Sixers front office are reportedly leaning towards selecting Simmons, which would leave the Lakers with Ingram.

If that is how things play out, Chad Ford of ESPN says there is no way the Lakers pass on such a seamless fit for the team's gaping hole on the wing:

Don't see any chance Ingram gets past the Lakers at No. 2. Sorry. - @chadfordinsider https://t.co/XCATSFTrY1

— ESPN Insider (@ESPNInsider) May 27, 2016

While Kupchak has said he doesn't see a huge gap in talent between the second and third overall picks, most disagree, so the Lakers passing on Ingram (if he's there) always seemed unlikely.

Dragan Bender (the third-ranked prospect on most boards) would be an interesting fit next to Julius Randle in the team's frontcourt going forward, but it's probably best that the Lakers not get cute and just select the player who looks like he has the highest chance to be great. Right now that's Ingram, and it sounds like the front office agrees.

You can follow this author on Twitter at @hmfaigen.