Magic Johnson really likes Brandon Ingram.
As the Los Angeles Lakers team president told ESPN Los Angeles, per USA Today‘s A.J. Neuharth-Keusch:
“I would say probably the only player that we would say, ‘Hey’ — that we would probably not move — is Brandon Ingram,” Johnson told ESPN Los Angeles on Thursday. “I think that we’re excited about Brandon. His length, his size, his agility, his athleticism.”
This tracks with everything Lakers head coach Luke Walton said about the 19-year-old during the regular season. The team seems to not only appreciate his potential as a three-and-D superstar, but his work ethic and attitude.
Ingram is also more valuable than anyone else on the roster, because he’s so damn cheap. The Lakers have already needed to reinvest in Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle will be a restricted next summer and D’Angelo Russell is one year out from being extension-eligible, albeit two years from actually needing a raise.
Comparatively, Ingram won’t be extension-eligible for another two years or reach restricted free agency for another three. That’s a big deal as the Lakers push forward. Stars on rookie-scale contracts are the most valuable commodities in the league, so betting big on Ingram by not making him available is a fantastic, forward-thinking play.
Plus, who knows, maybe Paul George has told the Lakers he is more likely to sign with them in 2018 (player option) if Ingram is there and the two have an opportunity to be one of the most menacing 3-4 frontcourt combos in all of basketball.
