The Lakers took yet another tough loss over the Pelicans. Fans were devastated after the game as the Lakers seemed to have control in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hang on pretty well. The Lakers still stand on 11th seed in the West. LeBron James put up 38 points and grabbed 8 rebounds.
This is yet another carrying performance by LeBron, as he has averaged 37 points in the last five games. Though versus the Pelicans, former Laker, Brandon Ingram scored 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Not only was it a great performance by the 24-year-old, but his reaction after making a free throw had fans question the Lakers’ 2019 decisions.
Fans go crazy on Twitter as Ingram stared at LeBron James
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Midway through the fourth quarter, Ingram was fouled and was on the line to shoot his free throws. After sinking the first free throw, Ingram stared directly at LeBron, while smiling. The look he gave to the King had the fans remember Ingram’s time with LeBron and the Lakers.
Bron, ingram, lonzo, hart, kcp, harrell n kuzma would have how many titles together?
— JotaGatzk (@gatzk) April 2, 2022
Who knows, Lebron quit on that team, didn’t give them a chance
— Anthony Winston (@Tonyww240) April 2, 2022
In the end, Ingram got the last laugh. This Lakers team would’ve benefited from having him on the team.
— Yusuf (@yusuf_aofficial) April 2, 2022
Bro acting like the lakers made a bad trade😹
— Gerber (@BlueberryGerb) April 2, 2022
Yea kuz the Lakers could have a cold ass roster. Traded all the talent away they had. Ingram, ball, randle, hart, Clarkson. I’m probably missing some. Traded all that talent for one title and davis 😂
— Mile High (@Arenas303) April 2, 2022
https://twitter.com/Erik_Lengyel/status/1510443483408093191?s=20&t=May-kTigQ691XjGfHUPLig
https://twitter.com/colby_burner/status/1510276932570648577?s=20&t=May-kTigQ691XjGfHUPLig
https://twitter.com/TrolledByJimmy/status/1510276759945723905?s=20&t=May-kTigQ691XjGfHUPLig
As for why did the Lakers trade Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and other young players in 2019. All of these players are performing pretty decent now. Brandon is averaging 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Pelicans. Lonzo is averaging 13 points and 5 assists on a 42% three-point shooting. Whereas, Josh Hart is putting up 15 points on 50% shooting.
It can be said that at the time, these players were not performing up to the team’s expectations. LeBron’s first season with the Lakers was not good enough for the fans to digest. Everyone expected LeBron to lead the team to the playoffs, breaking the 6 season-long playoff drought. In that season, Ingram and Lonzo were 21 years old, whereas Hart was 23. But what if these three players played for the Lakers today?
READ MORE: LeBron James Hater Skip Bayless Goes All Out After Lakers Legend Misses Buzzer Beater vs Pelicans
LeBron James with present-day Brandon Ingram
If Ingram, Ball, and Hart were to play with LeBron now, the three would average a combined total of 52 points. This stat is almost equal to the combined average of Anthony Davis, Westbrook, and Carmelo. It can be close in averages, though their percentage would fall short compared to the three youngsters.
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Ingram has improved significantly after he was traded by the Lakers. On the other hand, Lonzo and Hart can be great shooting backups. This young roster alongside LeBron could’ve won more games than the Lakers’ current record.
How well do you think the Lakers could’ve been, had they not traded the young guys? Do let us know in the comments.