Magic Johnson says Lakers probably will not trade Brandon Ingram, ever

Ingram had a lukewarm rookie season, but when asked who was untouchable on the roster, Johnson tabbed the youngster.

Brandon Ingram’s got the kind of job security some dream of. At least that’s what Los Angeles Lakers president Magic Johnson said during a radio interview with ESPN LA.

"I would say probably the only player that we would say, hey, we would probably not move is Brandon Ingram," Johnson said when asked if his roster had any “untouchable” players. "I think that we're excited about Brandon, his length, his size, his agility, his athleticism. And then when you think about, you know, he was a baby coming in, in his first year last season and we see that he really has a high ceiling and we're excited about what he can possibly turn into."

Ingram, whom the Lakers drafted second overall in 2016, had an average rookie season, posting 9.4 points, four rebounds and 3.2 assists in 29 minutes per game on just 40 percent shooting from the field and 29 percent from three. But he’s 6’9 with a 7’0 wingspan and, at only 19 years old, has time to fill out his 190-pound frame and develop into a versatile NBA players.

Johnson’s message, while reassuring for Ingram, may not sit well with some of his other younger players. D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr. and Julius Randle have also carved solid roles for themselves over the past two seasons in Los Angeles. That sentiment is two-fold for Russell, who could be headed elsewhere with projected top-three pick Lonzo Ball likely headed to the Lakers, who hold the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft.

Unfortunately, the Lakers have won just a combined 43 games during that stretch. So maybe it’ll take some dealing on Johnson’s end to get the right mix of talent together and drag Los Angeles out of its dry spell.

Fortunately for Ingram, those deals won’t include him.