I was kind of shocked,” said Abdul-Jabbar, who will accompany the Lakers to Hawaii for training camp in October and will work with the team at home during the season, mostly tutoring Bynum.

“But I think the timing was right because they have the type of player that can benefit the most from what I know. We have the same type of physique, and he’s a bright kid who’s willing to learn, so it should be a good fit. So far, from my experience today, it feels like a good fit.”

After a workout in which Kobe Bryant and other Lakers also participated, Abdul-Jabbar said of Bynum, “He’s not a raw kind of talent. He’s got some sophistication to his basketball game, and I think he will progress quickly.”

He is better-suited to coaching now, he said, “just [from] understanding what I have to offer and what the young generation of players needs. That’s a pretty good fit. I know a lot; they need to learn a lot. So if we get together, maybe we can transfer some knowledge here and have some fun and win some games.