The Los Angeles Lakers will not make their draft selection with that player's fit with Kobe Bryant under consideration.

“We’re not going to pick a player because he can play with Kobe, likes Kobe or dislikes Kobe,” Kupchak told Los Angeles News Group. “We’re going to pick the player that can have the longest and best career.”

“He’s going to be in their ear and they should want to learn from him,” Byron Scott, who mentored Bryant his rookie season. “There’s no better guy to have than to have him teach them what this league is all about and what type of work ethic they’ll need to have to hopefully get near his level.”

Kupchak argued a youth infusion “can make it fun for (Bryant) again,” though Kupchak hopes to add more veteran players during free agency.