Heading into the 2017-18 NBA season, there is plenty of optimism for the Los Angeles Lakers after selecting Lonzo Ball at the 2017 NBA Draft. After a poor debut at the Las Vegas Summer League, Ball averaged a near triple-double and received the Most Valuable Player award.

With teams currently filling out the remainder of their training camp rosters, all eyes will be on the hometown player. According to President Jeanie Buss, she revealed the only player who has brought this type of excitement to Los Angeles is Kobe Bryant on the Petros and Money Show as transcribed by Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation:

“No other draft pick, except maybe Kobe Bryant, has had this kind of excitement about him.”

In addition to comparing Ball to Bryant, Buss believes there are similarities to President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson:

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“There’s something special about Lonzo […] I think because he just wants to play basketball, he’s selfless. He has a certain charisma and I think the fact that his teammates at UCLA loved playing with him and all the nice things that they have to say about him, I think he’s going to bring an element that’s very similar to Magic Johnson.”

In a time when point guards have primarily become scorers, Ball's pass-first mentality is refreshing. During Summer League, the rookie point guard's unselfishness was on full display as he made the right passes and provided teammates with easy fast break opportunities.

With Brandon Ingram looking to take the next step in his development and Julius Randle getting in top-notch condition, Ball will surely take them to the next level. Should Ball and the young core show they are a couple players from contention, the Lakers are eyeing two max contract slots in hopes of signing LeBron James and Paul George next year.