The Los Angeles Lakers will head into the 2017-18 NBA season with Brandon Ingram and rookie Lonzo Ball leading the way. The two promising young players will try to end the four-year playoff drought with an upgraded roster and a positive outlook on the immediate future in Los Angeles.

With Ball getting as much attention as he has over the last few months, many have begun to wonder whether he'll be the next face of the franchise in the post-Kobe Bryant era. Head coach Luke Walton was recently posed the question by TMZ Sports whether he thinks Ball can be the next Kobe.

“Anything in life is possible,” Walton said.

Although Ball led the team to a title in Summer League, the rookie has yet to play a game in the regular season for the purple and gold. There's no telling what the 19-year-old is capable of and if he'll be able to live up to the mammoth expectations that have been placed on him.

Fortunately for the Lakers, Ball is brimming with confidence with the start of his rookie campaign right around the corner on Oct. 19. Ingram will also have his fair share of pressure and expectations as he enters his sophomore season with the team. Magic Johnson has already dubbed this duo the leaders of the team moving forward and intends to build around both players.

The Lakers will face the Los Angeles Clippers in their season opener as the home team at the Staples Center. The NBA preseason will begin for Ball and company on Sept. 30 with the Lakers facing the Minnesota Timberwolves which will also take place on their home floor.