Old North Banter
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Duke Blue Devils: Brandon Ingram Not Traded for Demarcus Cousins

By John Woodcock

Feb 17, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; U.S. Team forward Brandon Ingram of the Los Angeles Lakers (14) and U.S. Team center Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers (8) joke around with a referee during the Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; U.S. Team forward Brandon Ingram of the Los Angeles Lakers (14) and U.S. Team center Jahlil Okafor of the Philadelphia 76ers (8) joke around with a referee during the Rising Stars Challenge at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Duke Blue Devils missed out on becoming the biggest story of NBA All-Star Weekend.

The Duke Blue Devils of the NBA ended up not being the subject of the big trade made on All Star weekend. The New Orleans Pelicans sent Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Lance Galloway and some picks to the Sacramento Kings for Omri Casspi and Demarcus Cousins. The move unites the two former Kentucky big men and makes the Pelicans players in the near future.

Ah, but what could have been. There was another team that was in heavy negotiations for the services of Cousins. That team would be the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are currently in a youth building project, but the final result of that is years away. Acquiring Cousins would have brought them back to relevance quicker.

So why aren’t we talking about a Lakers deal for Cousins? The Lakers refused to include one element that would have satisfied the Kings. They refused to include former Duke Blue Devils forward Brandon Ingram according to reports from Colin Ward-Hinnger at CBS Sports. Ingram was their bridge too far.

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Ingram was the number two pick in the last draft. He has all the physical gifts to make a good wing in the NBA. This season has not shown his final form however, especially with him averaging eight points a game while playing around twenty-seven minutes a game. Kevin Durant, who is often cited as Ingram’s best case developmental scenario, was much more impactful as a rookie.

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The Lakers clearly believe in Ingram or else it would have been an afterthought to include him in a Cousins deal. That means that the next couple of seasons should show signs of great improvement by the raw talent. That should be exciting for Lakers fans.

If Ingram takes longer to develop, then it is possible that we will view the Lakers as missing an opportunity here. Hopefully though we will look back and say it was a no brainer to keep the Kinston prospect.

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