Magic Johnson Puts In On-Court Work With Lakers Rookie Brandon Ingram

Ryan Ward
3 Min Read
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

With the NBA trade deadline now in the rearview, the Los Angeles Lakers will get back to work on the basketball court in preparation for Friday’s game on the road against Russell Westbrook’s Oklahoma City Thunder. Heading toward his first game as president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson has taken to the floor on Thursday to help mentor rookie Brandon Ingram.

Johnson can be seen in the Instagram video below showing Ingram some tips on the court, via Lakers reporter Mike Trudell:

Magic didn't wait long to start some on-court work with Brandon Ingram…

A post shared by Mike Trudell (@miketrudell) on

As Johnson said after taking the expanded role with the Lakers, he’s all in and will be spending all his time helping turn this franchise back into a winner in the Western Conference.

Obviously, with Magic wearing workout clothes and already taking to the road with the Lakers, the five-time NBA champion is going with a hands-on approach. Players like Ingram, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, and especially D’Angelo Russell can only benefit from having a legend of his stature providing the knowledge on a daily basis while also having an open-door policy for the players and coaches.

Johnson has also let head coach Luke Walton know he’s open “any ideas” as they move forward under the new regime, via Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum SportsNet:

Magic already showing the initiative to get involved immediately is a good sign for the Lakers. There’s no telling how the Johnson experiment will pan out, but helping Walton and company while also running the front office in an attempt to right ship can’t hurt.

Following the team’s matchup with the Thunder on Friday, the Lakers will play their first game with Magic in his new position at home at the Staples Center on Sunday. The Lakers will host the San Antonio Spurs and there is certainly bound to be a different feel at the team’s home court with the front office and trades made this week.

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Ryan Ward is a Reporter/Editor and shares duties of being a Social Media Manager on a daily basis at Lakers Nation. As a credentialed member of the media, Ryan covers Lakers home games, press conferences as well as interviewing players from both the NBA and NFL. A Los Angeles native, but born and bred in the UK. Long-suffering Raiders fan and a Liverpool supporter since birth.