That is the opinion of ESPN insider Brian Windhorst.
The Lakers have yet to get the best out of the two best players when they are on the court together, with Ingram’s numbers significantly better when he sees more of the ball.
When he shares the floor with LeBron and the four-time MVP dominates possession, Ingram’s numbers are just 15.1 points per 36 minutes and 1.9 assists per 36 minutes.
But they jump up to 29.5 points per 36 and 4.7 assists per 36 without LeBron, while his field-goal percentage also increases from 44 per-cent to 56 per-cent.
His net efficiency – how many points the Lakers score against how many points they allow per 100 possessions – is -0.3 with LeBron and +12.0 without him.
Ingram’s potential sees him marked as one of LA’s most attractive prospects for trade, with several pundits advising the Lakers to try and swap Ingram for Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal of late.
And Ingram would likely be one of the assets the Lakers look to use if they try to move for New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis in the future.
The Pelicans will only trade away the five-time All-Star for the best available package and with Davis one of the best players in the NBA, the Lakers are sure to face widespread competition.
And Windhorst thinks the Lakers need to work on Ingram’s efficiency alongside LeBron or face repercussions.
“I would almost argue that this is the most important thing for the Lakers this season,” he told ESPN’s The Jump.
“I’m not so much focused on the points because LeBron is a top-five scorer of all time. Look at the field-goal percentage and then look at that net efficiency, which is basically what happens on the scoreboard.
“When LeBron and Ingram play together, they’re basically a .500 team. When LeBron is out of the game and Ingram is playing, the Lakers flourish.
“That’s a little bit of a small sample size because obviously they play together a lot.
“To me, this whole season was about A, establishing Ingram and LeBron as a tremendous duo that you can go forward with for the future.
“Or B, increasing Ingram’s trade value to the high point where you can trade him. Remember they could have attempted to trade Ingram for Kawhi Leonard.
“When they passed on Paul George, it was more about the draft pick that became Lonzo Ball. Had they made Ingram available in that deal maybe they could have gotten that done.
“They have elected to hold on to Ingram instead of trading him for bonafide All-Stars because they are so sure about how Ingram is going to play.
“The reality is, Ingram is at his best and has been at his best when he’s got the ball, creating and going to the basket.
“When you play with LeBron, you do a lot of standing and waiting and those stats, Ingram doesn’t appear to be shooting very well.
“In general, the Lakers roster is flawed. LeBron may huff and puff about it but he has won championships and MVPs as a playmaker surrounded by specialists.
“With the Lakers you have creators and playmakers that are not specialists and not shooters. We have a mismatch here and what’s happening with Ingram is an exact example of it.”