Magic Johnson: Brandon Ingram is Lakers' only untradeable player

As Magic Johnson, president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers, begins his quest to rebuild the franchise he led to five championships as a player, there's only one player on the current roster he views as untradeable.

"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."

Ingram, the 19-year-old forward who was taken with the No. 2 overall pick in last year's draft out of Duke, had an underwhelming rookie season. He averaged 9.4 points and four rebounds, shot 40.2% from the field and started 40 of 79 games, struggling to find his niche on a team that won 26 games and missed the postseason for the fourth consecutive season.

But now, with Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka manning the front office and the future in Laker Land looking brighter than it has in some time, Johnson is looking forward to watching Ingram develop in his second season.

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"He was a baby coming in in his first year last season," Johnson said. "We see that he really has a high ceiling. We're excited about what he could possibly turn into. He has that type of talent. ... When you talk about untouchables, probably Brandon is the guy that we probably won't even think about moving, ever."

Johnson added that the organization is "really happy" and "excited" about the other young players on the roster, too, including 2015 No. 2 overall draft pick D'Angelo Russell, who has had his share of ups and downs since entering the league.

"I think that D'Angelo, he has it, it's just got to come out of him," Johnson said. "He could be really special if he pushes himself, especially in this offseason. Because he can score that ball. We want him to be more of a leader now."

The Lakers have the No. 2 pick again in this year's draft, and it's expected they'll take UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball if he's available.

Ball, a Los Angeles-area native who recently turned down an invitation to work out with the Boston Celtics, who own the No. 1 pick — is expected to work out with the Lakers in the next couple of weeks.

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PHOTOS: Magic Johnson through the years