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5 Bold Predictions For Los Angeles Lakers 2016 Training Camp

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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With the Los Angeles Lakers set to start training camp in less than a week, let’s take a look at how the festivities could play out for a franchise on the rise.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

On Sept. 27, the Los Angeles Lakers officially begin their 2016-17 season with the start of training camp. It’s the first step in what should be an interesting campaign for a team trying to claw its way back to contention.

So what can we expect when the fun gets under way next Tuesday? No one knows for sure, but you better believe there will be plenty of eyes on the Purple and Gold as they head into a 2016-17 season shrouded in mystery.

They’ve stockpiled some high-upside prospects who appear eager to put it all together. They also added some high-priced veterans this offseason, and will be desperately hoping they pan out as quality contributors on this team overflowing with inexperienced options.

For now, let’s focus on the upcoming camp and all of the wonder it brings with it.

Here are my five “bold” predictions for what could go down during Lakers training camp.

Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

5. Nick Young Actually Makes The 15-Man Roster

I know–this is ridiculous right? The Los Angeles Lakers have been making every effort to get rid of him since the end of the 2015-16 campaign. So why would they want to keep him around, even if it meant taking the financial hit?

I’ll give you one reason, and you’ll just have to deal with it. It’s depth.

Obviously the Lakers are pretty set at small forward at this moment with Luol Deng and Brandon Ingram sitting atop the depth chart. Anthony Brown will provide the emergency support, with Travis Wear (who?) also looking to earn an opportunity somewhere within this organzation.

I would guess that Young is no higher than No. 4 on the small forward depth chart, only ahead of Wear. However, I’d be a bit concerned about the health of two players–Deng and Brown.

Deng is 31 years old and heading into his thirteenth NBA season. While he’s remained relatively healthy over the years, his age and overall durability is a concern.

Brown is still recovering from a foot injury and has dealt with a number of health issues since the Lakers made him a second-round pick in 2015.

I’m predicting these concerns become realities during training camp, forcing the Lakers to keep Young around. It’s not ideal, but that’s life.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

4. Zach Auguste Emerges As A Hidden Gem

The Los Angeles Lakers have brought in a couple of intriguing unknowns for training camp. The one that warrants the most conversation at this point is Zach Auguste, an undrafted rookie who made a good impression as part of Los Angeles’ Summer League team.

The power forward prospect brings an intriguing mix of tools to the party.

First, his 6-foot-10 frame will certainly help him make an impact in the paint. As he proved during his days at Notre Dame, he’s more than capable of cleaning the glass with the best of them.

He averaged 10.6 rebounds per game during his senior season, and chipped in 14 points and 1.1 blocks per game along the way.

Second, he’s an excellent athlete. Auguste displayed tremendous explosiveness around the rim, and did a great job of using his size and tenacity to out-muscle other big men for post positioning. The physical skills are there for him to develop into a quality contributor with some NBA coaching.

Now Auguste does need some work on the offensive aspects of his game. Despite being a power forward, the former Irish star sports an unreliable jumper and minimal range.

However, he doesn’t have too much trouble working his way to the rim and usually makes the most of his opportunities.

The potential is there if he can show improvement in the shooting department. That’s why I’m predicting he makes the final roster.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

3. Yi Jianlian Fails To Make The 15-Man Roster

There’s no denying that Yi Jianlian brings a lot of intrigue to the Los Angeles Lakers’ frontcourt. Unfortunately, there’s also a lot of bust potential with the former lottery pick.

During his five years in the NBA, he played for four different teams and looked like little more than a wasted pick. His best season came in 2009-10, when he averaged 12 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1 block per game for the then-New Jersey Nets.

He played well for China during the recent Olympic games, but is far from guaranteed to make the final roster.

In fact, I believe he’ll fail to do so.

There are a couple of reasons, but the main one is that the Lakers’ frontcourt is rather crowded right now. With Jianlian likely to play power forward, it’ll be tough for him to earn minutes behind Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr.

And then there’s Auguste, who I previously predicted will make the roster.

So where is there room for Jianlian? Not a center.

The Lakers have three centers who seem like near locks for the roster. I doubt the China native beats out Timofey Mozgov, Ivica Zubac or Tarik Black for a job. That’s why I’m predicting Jianlian is unemployed by the time the regular season rolls around.

Cutting him will have minimal financial ramifications for Los Angeles anyways.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

2. Brandon Ingram Steals The Starting SF Job

Last weekend, head coach Luke Walton stated that he plans of bringing Ingram off the bench to start his rookie season (via the Los Angeles Daily News’ Mark Medina). The Los Angeles Lakers paid Deng like the starting small forward this offseason, so it makes sense.

However, considering the potential he possesses, it’s not crazy to imagine Ingram blowing Deng away during training camp.

If that does happen, I find it hard to believe Walton sticks to his word. I mean, Ingram has the upside to be a star in the NBA and appears to be developing at an exponential pace.

If he does flash that elite ability during training camp, the Lakers will find it too hard to bring him off the bench.

Especially with Deng getting up there in age, it may be best to use him as a co-sixth man (alongside Lou Williams). Although he’s still a capable contributor, his effectiveness continues to wane as the years go by.

For the sake of being bold, I’m predicting Ingram shines in the bright Hollywood lights during training camp. Lakers fans get their heavy dose of the No. 2 pick earlier than expected.

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

1. Larry Nance Jr. Steals The Starting PF Job

Now here’s the big one. All of the other predictions up to this point were already considerations to some degree. However, I doubt many people are thinking Nance actually stands a chance of beating out Randle for the starting gig.

And yet, here we are.

Nance has proven to be an underrated asset, both on offense and defense. The former first-round pick is a terrific athlete, with the instincts and awareness to make an impact on both ends of the court. He seems like a perfect fit for Walton’s new up-tempo attack.

Meanwhile, Randle isn’t quite as strong of a fit. While he’s an outstanding rebounder, his offensive game is inconsistent at best and he hasn’t show an ability to be effective in the pick and roll.

As promising of a prospect as he was when the Los Angeles Lakers drafted him, Randle hasn’t lived up to expectations.

That’s not to say he couldn’t eventually develop into a star. Randle is still a work in progress, and showed impressive maturation last season. However, when it all comes down to it, Nance may be the better starting option at this very moment.

Randle can come off the bench and be a leader of the second unit. That’s my “bold” prediction, and I’m sticking to it–for now.

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