Los Angeles Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson hopes that promising star Brandon Ingram will become the team's leader as he sees an enormous potential in the 19-year-old forward.
The Los Angeles-based franchise is still searching for the one who will fill in the shoes of the great Kobe Bryant and lead the team to more success. Five-time NBA champion Bryant called it a retirement a year ago, leaving the franchise without a leader but with a promising young core.
Who will be the future of the Lakers?
The Lakers selected Ingram at number two in the 2016 NBA draft, just a few months after Bryant's retirement.
The Duke product was one of the most talented and intriguing prospects in the class alongside eventual Philadelphia 76ers top pick Ben Simmons.
''Then you take into account, Brandon Ingram,'' Johnson told Spectrum SportsNet, per Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation. ''He’s gotten better and better. He’s really like the guy we’re going to look to, to lead us offensively and defensively.''
Former Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell had shown some leadership signs in his sophomore season before he got traded to the Brooklyn Nets this offseason.
Since, the team has brought heavily talented Lonzo Ball, 19, by using its number two pick in this year's NBA draft. As both Ingram and Ball have a high ceiling, the hope remains that the duo will be able to reach the superstar potential one day.
Ingram - the rarity
Los Angeles Lakers legend magic johnson has been left impressed by Brandon Ingram's basketball abilities.
Ingram, 19, is one of the most interesting and talented players in the whole NBA. The former Duke Blue Devil has the ability to run, shoot and handle the ball well, though he has his height listed at 6ft 9in.
The forward has been compared to Kevin Durant, the 6ft 9in Golden State Warriors superstar, as Ingram's game-style reminds of the one of Durant.
Johnson praised Ingram by saying that he is a ''talent you don't find too many times,'' as well as added that the Duke product is ''long'' and ''athletic.''
Lakers coach Luke Walton experimented with Ingram in his rookie season, putting the rising player on multiple positions on the court, including the point guard spot.
Johnson added that Ingram ''can do a lot of different things,'' which includes playing point guard, and went on to add, ''and so when you think about a face of an organization along with all the other faces he’s the one that really stands out.''
