Los Angeles Lakers: Predicting the career outcomes of 2017 draft picks

No. 42 — Thomas Bryant, C, Indiana

At No. 42 overall, Thomas Bryant was a terrific second-round selection for the Lakers. It was a shot in the dark that offers noteworthy upside, but I’m not entirely convinced he can play a significant role in Los Angeles.

Sure, there’s plenty to be intrigued by with Bryant. First, he has ridiculous length with a 7-6 wingspan and a strong, physical frame to battle down low. We’ve also seen at times that he’s more than capable of being a serious offensive threat. However, we’ve also seen how inconsistent he can be on both ends of the court.

After an outstanding freshman season, Bryant took a step back in 2016-17. His shooting percentage saw a significant decline, and his effectiveness on defense tapered off. You have to love the physical tools he brings to the table, but basketball is about much more than height, arm length and strength.

Bryant is only 19 years old, so there’s still time for him to grow. However, I don’t think he’s consistent enough to be anything more than a backup. At this moment, it appears as though that’s about his ceiling — a bench player for the Lakers who sees a few minutes per game. Having Brook Lopez and Ivica Zubac ahead of him on the depth chart doesn’t help, either.

Next: 2017 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams

As I said, I like the pick. The potential is there for it to be a fruitful one for the Lakers. When it comes down to it, though, I just don’t see Bryant being anything more than a backup in Los Angeles. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was playing elsewhere before long and out of the league in a few years.