Austin Reaves Amazed with Former Lakers Lottery Pick Amidst World Cup Team-Up

Imagine if they were in LA together?

When Brandon Ingram was picked 2nd overall by the Lakers in 2016, it looked like the Lakers wanted to build around him and make him their next bright young star. 

He earned starting minutes in just his second season with the team, and he was a bright light in what was kind of a dark time for the "post Kobe years" Lakers.

He was ultimately dealt to the Pelicans in the massive trade that sent Anthony Davis to LA, and since his move to New Orleans he's become a superstar.

As Ingram gears up to play for Team USA in the upcoming FIBA World Cup, a new young Lakers talent is really excited to get to play with him.

Austin Reaves is excited to share the floor with Brandon Ingram at the FIBA World Cup 🏆

Imagine if this duo played together on the Lakers 👀 pic.twitter.com/vF3YQdOIGi

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 5, 2023

Out of any of the superstars on the team like Mikal Bridges, Anthony Edwards or Paolo Banchero, the fact that Reaves is most excited to play with Ingram should make a few Lakers fans happy.

Reaves gets to pick the brain of somebody who's navigated the first few years of a career in LA. He gets to watch someone that plays the same style as him go to work every day, and he gets to learn what it's like to play in big spots all in one spot. 

Reaves also gets to learn from some of the best coaches in the league, headlined by Steve Kerr, Eric Spolestra and Ty Lue.

What more could Lakers fans ask for?

This FIBA team is young, they're hungry and they're full of excitement heading into the tournament. Part of the reason why you don't see many "superstars" on the team is fear of injury.

While yes, the names on this list are still very impressive, the guys that you'd assume would be on this team like LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Steph Curry and others are not there in part because they might get hurt, but also in part because they played on the Olympic team just a few years ago in Tokyo, and they want to give other guys a shot.

The tournament starts August 25, and goes until September 10.