Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram is on the path to stardom.

The Los Angeles Lakers have as strong of a young core as any team in the league. The main reason is Brandon Ingram.

Going into his fourth year, all eyes will be on the 21-year-old recovering from a blood clot surgery that caused him to miss the final 19 games. The good news is that he’s expected to be ready to go for the 2019-20 season.

Before the scare, Ingram was playing the best basketball of his career. In six games after the All-Star break, he averaged 27.8 points and 7.5 rebounds. He did this while shooting an incredible 57 percent from the field and 53 percent from three.

The third-year wing showed flashes all season of being a great young talent but not like this. On the season he averaged 18.3 points and 5.1 rebounds. Ingram did this while shooting an impressive 50 percent from the field.

Despite looking like a terrific young talent throughout the first few months, his name popped up in trade rumors. The main one being the Anthony Davis deal.

A deal in which the Lakers were inexplicably looking to offer Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Kyle Kuzma. Yes, Davis is a once in a long time type of talent, and yes he is a top-10 player in the league. However, you have a trio of potential stars on rookie contracts. That’s something you can’t afford to lose.

The main reason the Lakers were even looking to explore something of this magnitude is LeBron James. With James exiting his prime, the Lakers are desperate to make a title push. It’s of the norm to look for trades to better your franchise, but trading Ingram is a big mistake.

RELATED PRODUCT Tailgate Women's LA Lakers Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt White XL Buy Now!

His impact on both ends is rare at this stage of his career. He has tools that you don’t find often. At 6’9″, Ingram was the tallest starting shooting guard in the league. The Lakers shifted him over to the position to allow James and Kuzma to start at forward.

Ingram transitioned with ease becoming a strong defender, taking the challenge of defending the league’s best. One night Ingram defended superstar Kyrie Irving so well that Irving went out of his way to mention him in a postgame interview.

“Being guarded by Brandon Ingram most of the game, I can’t even lie to you guys, those guys on the defensive end are unusual. Driving lanes that I see against every other team, they were closing down the lane.”

That night Irving shot 6-of-21 from the field.

Due to his size and quickness, Ingram has the ability to defend up to four positions. Some nights he defended Kevin Durant, some nights he defended Irving. That’s how versatile he is.

If you look up at some of the league’s greats today, they are the most versatile. LeBron, Durant, Giannis Antetokounpo, Kawhi Leonard, and Davis. All versatile players and the list goes on.

Ingram is magnificent for his size at handling the ball. At times he plays the point guard due to a nice and tight dribble. Ingram uses this to his advantage as he often has the mismatch. He’s usually taller or faster than his opponent.

Whenever he attacks, he is certainly at his best. Ingram shot 52 percent from two and the closer he got, the better. On shots within three feet of the basket, he shot an incredible 68 percent.

Another reason it’s easy to believe in Ingram’s potential is his growth.

Rookie Stats: 9.4 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 40% fg, 29% 3pt, 62% ft

2nd year stats: 16.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.9 apg, 47% fg, 39% 3pt, 68% ft

3rd year stats: 18.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3 apg, 50% fg, 33% 3pt, 68% ft

Two areas Ingram should look to improve are his free throw shooting and 3-point shooting. It’s surprising that Ingram is a career 66 percent free throw shooter, considering that he has a good midrange game. Considering that he shot a career-high 5.6 attempts, it’s important that he begins to improve like most of his teammates.

When I say that Ingram should improve from three, it has to do more with off the dribble. As a catch and shoot guy, Ingram has done a solid job the past two seasons. If he can learn to create his own three and add more range on his shot, he would become unguardable.

I expect Brandon Ingram to have a big training camp and offseason in these areas. His fourth season will be a special one if healthy. It’s realistic that even in a loaded Western Conference he can be a star. Ingram should average around 22 points and six rebounds in his fourth year. You pair those numbers with stellar defense and you have yourself a potential great.

The Lakers have a busy summer ahead. One thing they must avoid is trading future superstar, Brandon Ingram.