Brandon Ingram is not unlike other 21-year-olds.

Granted, there are not many 6’9″ 20-somethings with 7’3″ wingspans typically walking down the street. Yet, this does not mean he is exempt to the expected growing pains of trying to find the best version of himself at this stage of his life. Or at the very least, on the hardwood.

The state of Ingram’s professional career has been in a state of influx since entering the league. From his initial expectedness to shore up the Lakers’ wing position and lack of shooting, to his shift to primary creator, Ingram has yet to solidify his optimal role three years later.

He is still very much a lump of clay. Which on any other team would be fine, but with one that has LeBron James on it, there are standards that need to be met.

Whether or not Ingram is primed to reach his full potential with this Lakers’ team, and beside James, is still entirely unknown. But there are adjustments that could be made to better both parties involved in the New Year, and for the rest of the season.

Here are three that could possibly add clarity in an otherwise murky foreseeable picture.

Make Your Free Throws

First off, this is not at all solely an Ingram issue, but he is a culprit. To the despair and frustration of their fanbase, the Lakers continue to be dead last in the league in free-throw percentage.

At an abysmal 68.8 percent from the charity stripe, the Lakers simply continue to relinquish free points nightly. Their struggles on the campaign are doubly painful in this recent stretch without James, which they have shown difficulty producing offense in the half-court with any consistency.

There are not many elite skills Ingram has thus far exhibited in his young career, but drawing fouls may be the closest. According to Cleaning the Glass, 15.4 percent of Ingram’s attempts this season result in shooting fouls. That rate is in the 95th percentile among wings.

Between his drive heavy offense (40 percent of his attempts come within four feet) and extremely lanky physique, Ingram is prone to foul calls at a superstar rate. Unfortunately, his efficiency once he strolls up to the line has been less than optimal.

On the season, Ingram is converting only 63.3 percent of his 5.1 free throw attempts a game. Although only 2 1/2 professional seasons worth of a sample, Ingram has yet to finish a season over 68.5 percent from the line. This also accounts for his one collegiate year at Duke.

For someone who gets to the line at his rate, the first step in Ingram improving his overall efficiency may come at simply converting the gimmes.

Embrace A New Deployment

In what has become a source of strife, and argument between the fanbase, Ingram’s utilization on the Lakers continues to offer mixed results.

Ingram was expected to evolve into James’ right hand man within the team’s offense heading into the season, but in the small sample thus far, the duo’s fit has been clunky at best. One of the major reasons for this has been how Ingram has operated not only next to James, but overall in the team’s scheme.

As seen in his play type data this season, Ingram has been used primarily as a pick and roll ball handler as it has accounted for 31.4 percent of his possession frequency. While obviously this level of reliance with the ball in his hands is not ideal on a team with James, the bigger issue has been his ineffectiveness in these possessions.

According to Synergy, Ingram is only scoring 0.78 points per possession as the pick and roll ball handler, which is in the 40th percentile of the league.

The former lottery pick simply has shown a general lack of nuance in this role but has seemingly been relegated to this deployment going back to his sophomore season. James’ arrival was expected to alter his offensive profile, creating more off-ball movement and spot-up opportunities. But thus far, this has yet to happen as seen in his offensive frequencies.

Season Data

Based off this season’s B-Ball Index Player Grades, where Ingram’s talents lie could paint a picture in what a better use of skills could be.

Ingram’s Offensive Role this season has been classified as a “Secondary Creator.” Yet when compared to the offensive responsibilities of an “Spot-Up Wing” (grades on the right of the table) it is clear his talents can be optimized better.

While his questionable shot-selection, and reliance on bad habits learned play a part, scheme and improved targeted development will likely help his development.

One simple change that could improve Ingram’s efficiency is getting him on the move. Ingram is shooting 55.7 percent on his 2-point field goals this season when his touch time is less than two seconds. When he touches the ball for six or more seconds, that number drops to 45 percent.

Methods the team could possibly get him downhill more often include: using him as a screener, getting the ball to him in early transition, running him off a curl or hand offs are all several preferable actions compared to his usual pick and roll obligations.

Improve Functionality Of Your Length

One look at Ingram’s physical measurements and it’s easy to see why he was so heavily sought after heading into the draft. Playing primarily on the wing, Ingram’s combination of height and frightening wingspan can easily be seen as projectable of a scary potential two-way threat.

Unfortunately, the young wing has yet to tap into how to use his advantages functionally. One area where he has taken a step forward this season in this aspect has been in the post. Standing at 6’9,” Ingram almost always has a height advantage down low. Although, not blessed with brute strength, he has shown a nice ability to rise up over smaller defenders with impressive results.

According to Synergy, Ingram is scoring 1.05 points per post up possession. That mark is good enough for the 83rd percentile in the NBA.

Although a positive in that area, Ingram still has yet to capture how to use his physical gifts in other facets of the game. With identical block and steal percentages from a season ago, and lower rebounding rates, Ingram should be doing more given his advantages, but has yet to put the pieces together.

The glimpses though, have been there.

Conclusion

Ingram is still very much a work in process. He is a player with unique talents, and physical skills, that makes his future potential nearly impossible to predict. Within his three professional seasons, his role has changed almost dramatically in each.

The Lakers and their fanbase have entered a crossroads when it comes to the young players, and Ingram specifically. James is here, and with that comes a singular goal that is expected. In many ways this was always going to be an audition season to see who joins the former MVP on the next reiteration of the Lakers.

Ingram is often the player fans, and analysts, have already deemed unsuitable for what comes next. But, as the team is beginning to learn with former departed draftees’ success, giving up on a young player too early or improperly using them, can come back to bite them.

*Data via: NBA.com and Cleaning the Glass and Synergy. Data helped compiled by Ben Holz and Huzaifa Patel. Featured artwork by Aidan Lising.