First-year Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton is not prepared to toss Brandon Ingram into the fire to start his professional career.
"We're not going to throw him into the starting lineup right away," Walton told Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News.
"You develop the young core by rewarding them when they play well." Walton added. "If there’s 10 games left in the season, and (we're) out of the playoffs, and there’s some vets that played long minutes all season, maybe you play all your young guys to finish out the season. But when you’re going through the season, you’re not doing anyone any favors just by playing young guys so they can play if they’re not out there playing the right way."
With Ingram coming off the bench, Luol Deng will likely start at small forward to begin the 2016-17 campaign. The 12-year veteran is coming off a solid season with the Miami Heat, averaging 12.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on 45.5 percent shooting.
While Ingram may not start right away, Walton and the rest of the Lakers coaching staff are more than excited to have the lanky forward on their roster, having already noted his All-Star potential earlier this summer.
Los Angeles begin their season on Oct. 26 when they'll face the Houston Rockets at Staples Center.
