Rank The Core 4

[TylersLakers]

We need a filler for discussion until the draft and LeBron Watch gets rolling, and I heard this topic talked about on the Kamenetzky Brothers podcast with Andy and Brian.

Ever since then, I've gone back and fourth. And honestly, when ranking these guys I could make a case for either one to get the top spot. Also, watching the playoffs has given me a new perspective and my rankings now are different then what they would have been 6 weeks ago.

1: Kyle Kuzma

With shooting at a premium, I think Kuzma goes to the top of this list in my opinion. Which, wouldn't have been the case in mid February. I probably would have had Ingram near the top due to his two way potential. Kuzma also showed flashes defensively late in the year and also surprised me when he was the focal scorer playing the 3, and when he was coming off ball screens and different actions like that. When you combine that potential with his fundamental skills and how polished he is, he could be an elite scorer in this league for years to come.

2: Julius Randle

It's such a switching league now. And watching these playoffs just put the exclamation point on how important Randle is to this team going forward in my opinion. With every small-on-big switch I saw in the playoffs, I just imagined Randle abusing them down low or off the dribble and his playmaking out of double teams really took a step as well. Surround Randle with shooters and two-way wings, and you got a very scary offense. Not to mention, and I think most importantly, his switching on the defensive side of the ball. By numbers, he was one of the best players in the league when it came to switching onto smaller guards and holding them to a low field goal percentage. There's not many players in the league like him. If he can just get sooooome resemblance of an outside jump shot, we're in business.

3: Lonzo Ball

I love Lonzo, and he's one of the more exciting players in the league when he's healthy in my opinion. His basketball smarts is really fun to watch. But I'm worried. His health is number 1 with a bullet. His finishing around the rim is bad, his jump shot is way too inconsistent, and his free throw shooting is a huge concern. When he returned from his knee injury, it looked like he didn't even want to go to the basket at all because he was concerned about getting fouled. With that said, I do believe those skills will improve with a couple summers of skill work and player development. But, if things were to line-up and we get LeBron James and Paul George, his weaknesses will stick out like a sore thumb. I also hate to say this, but there's a concern off the court for me as well as far as his management and his Dad. It's been "just noise" so far, but I think it could get potentially worse as his leverage increases and he rounds into the player he probably will become. I hope he reaches a Kobe moment and eventually distances himself, but as of right now, that's not where he's at.

4: Brandon Ingram

I feel like this is almost unfair after the season he had. He played around 60 games and he was making such tremendous strides until his injury against Miami. I just wish I could have seen like 5-7 more games, because he was putting it all together. And in those games leading up to the injury, he was a defensive nightmare for opponents. Offensively, he was knocking down a shot or two from three a game. He has an elite skill of driving to the basket and finishing. In the stretch where he started for Lonzo during Lonzo's first knee injury, it was beautiful to watch. He started to make the proper reads when it came to driving and kicking. He has so much room for growth but a big part of me wonders how effective he can be on a Championship team if he's not the primary guy. He needs the ball in his hands offensively to be effective, because I don't believe he'll ever be a sniper from distance. He'll be able to make one or two from deep a game to keep the D honest on his drives, but I don't think he'll ever be a guy who can space the floor and be a second option offensively. Also, if George & LeBron do come, what role does he play and how much is his growth stunted from that? I think it's a valid concern. With all that said, I still love Ingram's potential and you don't just use him to get off Deng's money or something of that nature.

I love the 4 young guys and I think long-term they all fit together due to the style of players that they are. If major free agents come, that changes everything as far as how I feel about players. If you were to give me a crystal ball right now and tell me all we're getting is Paul George or nothing, I'd rank them probably 1) Ingram 2) Kuzma 3) Randle 4) Ball.

Curious what everyone thinks.

[TyCobb]

Lonzo then Ingram. Everyone else is tradeable.

[Michael Lucky]

1 Ingram
2 lonzo
3 Randle
4 Kuzma.

[MAMBAEMD]

1)Lonzo (court vision is a priceless commodity in NBA)
2)Ingram (great all around talent, great bball IQ, like Lonzo)
3)Kuz (shooting in the NBA is always high on my list, lack of defensive prowess is a problem)
4)Julius (strong, physical, but replaceable)

[Kilroy]

On a team potentially adding PG and LeBron, everyone's trade-able... That said, you'd have to figure at least 1 or 2 young players were part of the reason they want to come here...
I got a weird feeling it may be:
Lonzo
Randle
Ingram
Kuzma...

I wonder if that game against Cleveland Randle had didn't secure his spot for next season... It was a weird vibe. And I do think that if PG and LeBron come, they have another guy in mind to join them. Which means trade to me, and if that's the case I think either Ingram or Ball has to be on the table... My guess would be Ingram... But that's all just gut feeling...

All indications are that Ty's right... Ball and Ingram are virtually off the market, Kuz and Randle would be traded if possible.

[ak7]

The only way you are trading Randle at this point is via sign and trade. Just don’t see a viable option there.

[dockingsched]

Lonzo
Ingram

Kuzma

Randle isn’t part of the core right now. He’s a free agent who wasn’t offered an extension, was shopped til the deadline, and is plan B this offseason at best.

[RamonSessions7]

Lonzo
Ingram

Kuzma

Randle isn’t part of the core right now. He’s a free agent who wasn’t offered an extension, was shopped til the deadline, and is plan B this offseason at best.

Already typed it for me, so ditto

[One Love]

Don’t forget about Hart... Magic loves the kid... I am going to break down my list:

1. Ball (6’6” PG with vision). Magic’s boy.
2. Ingram (6’9” SF with upside). Pippen.
3. Kuzz (6’9” pure shooter @ $1.4). Magic’s pick.
4. Hart (6’5” defensive energy guy @ $1.4).
5. Randle ($4.0 million steal - $20 million liability).

Ball has to stay healthy & big year for Ingram... Kuzz & Hart fit like gloves around LBJ or PG... PERFECT role players... Ingram’s skill sets may be replaceable depending upon the roster...

[Vae Victus]

1. Ingram is a no brainer. His upside is high and he's on a nice trajectory with all his added skills in season 2. With polish his 3rd season will see another jump.

2. Kuzma showed ALOT in his rookie year. Yea he's old and his ceiling isnt much higher, but he brings the type of game one wants out of their 4s these days. Also the fact he's being paid pennies over the next 3 years ups his value.

3. Lonzo's got alot of worrying warts in his game and durability. He's shown alot of nice traits, but good teams need their PGs to be able to reliably stretch the floor and penetrate/finish strong when lanes open up. Lonzo can definitely jump to our #2 prospect if he can fix his outside shooting to a decent level. It's highly likely getting a NBA training and eating regimen will greatly strengthen his body and mind to be able to take his game to the next level, but for now, he's #3.

4. Hart's only rated above Randle due to rookie contract cheapness. His impact atm is nice but nothing amazing. He's old and likely already at his ceiling, but with improvements on D and shooting efficiency he'd be a great bench role player which every good team needs.

5. Randle's about to get paid and while he's shown great growth in his efficiency, his type of game is out of whack to what the league trending. He's ideally a 6th man who comes in and tears up opposing benches, however if he gets paid like a star, that kinda nukes all of his value unless he keeps improving his game. As such he's out least value able core player atm. Would be amazing if we kept him on the QO

[Landsberger]

If you rank what they did last year vs time in the NBA and "expectations" based on their Draft position Kuzma rises to the top. He wasn't in the conversation at all.

That says a lot about the other 3 IMHO. They are all good and keepers in many different scenarios going forward however ranking them in terms of individual preference or stats isn't something I think about. How will they fit with who we will be getting is a better way of thinking about it to me.

Ball, to me, was a disappointment in comparison to what was expected. He played defense and the transition game well but the rest of his game is a work in progress. He may fill those hole and he may not. He seems to have the work ethic.... this year will be telling.

I've always thought we've pushed Ingram in the wrong direction. He's a great fill in the gaps type of player who I actually think is very valuable. We've pushed him to be the Alpha/closer/leader and I'm not sure thats in him. He scored more consistently and started to shoot better once he changed his release point. Will be interesting to see if he can build on that.

Randle had a great second half to the year no doubt. That said he really hasn't expanded his offensive game yet. He has instead concentrated on what he can do well and has moved away from doesn't. Defense on there perimeter is great for a guy his size. He still struggles in the paint however. Not sure he's a center other than in certain situations.

Kuzma showed he can score inside, outside and between. That's fairly rare these days. He's got issues on the defensive end. He showed some 4th quarter grit and determination that has been missing on the team. Is he topped out or does he fill in some of those gaps and truly become a steal? Like Lonzo, the second year will be key.

Every one of them has gaps. My guess is that only 1 or 2 continue to develop in leaps. How they fit with who we get this offseason is more important to me than ranking them. As we acquire new players it will be key to balance the team. Depending on who we get I'm not sure Ingram or Randle would be real happy going to the bench which is a possibility in some scenarios.

It's nice to actually be in a position to have 4 guys like this, cap room and a path to make the team much better in a single summer.

[TKainZero]

This is tight/tough to rank

Kuz is 4th
His potential is lower than the rest for sure

Randle is an elite modern big. And I don’t think people even know it yet. He can guard anyone and everywhere. Shot almost 59% last season. And was 16/8 in 28 mins a game he also is a full length of the court threat, can take a rebound and go coast to coast.

Ball is a generational passer. His defense is also off the charts. He is a 6’5 pg that can guard 1-3!

Ingram is super long and lanky. I think he has a higher ceiling than ball/Randle, but is at a lower level right now. He can elevate his game higher of offense and defense. But right now he is 3rd


1 Randle
2 ball
3 Ingram
4 Kuz

[SlimShady83]

Ingram
Ball
Kuz
Randle

I want us to keep them all, but If anyone has to go it would be Randle, but only because I want younger:) Oh and shouldn't Hart (core 5) be in here as well?

[Pythagoras]

Randle is an elite modern big. And I don’t think people even know it yet. He can guard anyone and everywhere. Shot almost 59% last season. And was 16/8 in 28 mins a game he also is a full length of the court threat, can take a rebound and go coast to coast.

Randle was also voted as our team's backbone in the player's choice awards. There's also Lebron's comments about Julius after the Cle game this year. It wouldn't surprise me at all if LBJ and PG had a higher opinion of Randle than what many assume and they end up pushing the org to do what they can to keep him.

[iamworthy]

Ingram
Kuz
Ball

*** I think ball fell short of expectations but he should actually be number two on my list.
*** Not counting Randle because he might not be here

[snaquille oatmeal]

Josh Hart says F U snow flakes

[TKainZero]

Randle is an elite modern big. And I don’t think people even know it yet. He can guard anyone and everywhere. Shot almost 59% last season. And was 16/8 in 28 mins a game he also is a full length of the court threat, can take a rebound and go coast to coast.

Randle was also voted as our team's backbone in the player's choice awards. There's also Lebron's comments about Julius after the Cle game this year. It wouldn't surprise me at all if LBJ and PG had a higher opinion of Randle than what many assume and they end up pushing the org to do what they can to keep him.

I don’t understand how anyone can watch Randle vs the warriors and think that he isn’t an absolute must for he long term

He plays elite vs the warriors.


If you are building a puzzle to win a title, and right now that means beating the warriors, Randle is clearly a piece of that puzzle.

In these past finals, he would have had 30+mpg easy

[Kobe_for_3]

1 Ingram
2 lonzo
3 Kuzma
4 Hart

[biscuittoman]

Right now

Ingram > Randle > Kuzma > Ball > Hart

Potential

Ingram > Ball > Kuzma > Randle > Hart

[ROballer]

1. Lebron
2. Leonard
3. George
4. Ball