Lakers want Ingram to work with Kobe this summer

The Los Angeles Lakers have a lot riding on the continued development of lengthy 19-year-old forward Brandon Ingram, especially if the franchise is unfortunate enough to lose its first-round pick this summer to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was only 17 when he was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the 1996 draft and traded to Los Angeles. The franchise thinks Ingram can learn from someone who's been down the road he's only started traveling.

"Saying what I should look for in this organization and how I should be in this organization, (the Lakers) definitely thought Kobe should be one of the people I talk to, just to think about how he felt at 19 years old and 20 years old being in this organization," Ingram said of his Thursday exit interviews, according to the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina.

Head coach Luke Walton took Los Angeles to a 26-56 record in his first year on the job. He's one Lakers higher-up who believes working with The Black Mamba could do Ingram a great deal of good.

"He can learn a lot from someone like Kobe that has been through it and has a certain skill that is much higher than me or anyone on our staff had," Walton said. "It will be great if they can get in the gym together and Kobe can show him some of the drills and the amount of times he spent on just the basics (of footwork), all of those simple things he spent hours and hours on."

Despite being the second overall selection, Ingram only made an impact sporadically in the 2016-17 campaign. He suited up for all but three games, averaging 9.4 points on 40.2 percent shooting, four rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 28.8 minutes.