Los Angeles Lakers: Grading the 2017 NBA Draft class after rookie year
No. 42 overall pick: Thomas Bryant
If this was just based off of his G League performance this season, Thomas Bryant would be getting a A+. The kid was a revelation for the South Bay Lakers, stuffing the stat sheet on a nightly basis and giving the organization as a whole an exciting young big man to watch in wonder.
According to Bleacher Report‘s Eric Pincus, Magic Johnson is particularly intrigued by Bryant’s future:
Magic and the Lakers are high on Thomas Bryant and his future with the team - Magic said he wanted Bryant to get a LOT of playing time but since no minutes really available w/Lakers - South Bay the answer https://t.co/vQmYlnYWNc
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) April 4, 2018
That’s all fine and dandy, but when he did see the floor for the Lakers, the results were less than spectacular. Bryant’s shooting was subpar, he didn’t stand out on defense and only provided the occasional spark — while typically playing in garbage time. Overall, I think his brief looks with the Lakers (15 games) left something to be desired.
Don’t get me wrong, though — I think the potential is there for him to be a difference-maker somewhere down the road. Then again, I also thought that about Ivica Zubac, and it’s looking like he’s being slowly faded out of the picture in Los Angeles.
Bryant was a star for South Bay, earning valuable experience and undergoing significant growth along the way. He even impressed enough to finish second in G League Rookie of the Year voting (via NBA.com). Unfortunately, that same shimmer didn’t show when he played for Los Angeles, which is when it matters most.
I’m giving him a “B-” because of his G League dominance, but he needs to show more in the NBA moving forward if he plans on sticking around.
Grade: B-