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Lakers Select Thomas Bryant with the 42nd Pick

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After trading the #28 pick for the #30 and #42 picks, the Lakers selected University of Indiana C Thomas Bryant at #42. Bryant, a sophomore big man, averaged 12.6 points and 6.6 rebounds a game in a solid season individually (but one that did not have a lot of team success for the Hoosiers).

I am by no means an expert on Bryant, but the first thing that stands out to me when looking at his profile and watching some clips on him are his physical tools and how that translates to his game. Simply put, at nearly 6’11 and 248 pounds with a 7’6″ wingspan and a 9’4.5″ standing reach, this guy has an NBA physique that allowed him to overpower college athletes offensively and impact the game defensively.

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How that all translates to the NBA level, though, remains to be seen. Even though Bryant possesses NBA size, he doesn’t necessarily possess NBA athleticism.

Even in the video above, you see how he’s not a high flyer in tight spaces and really does his best finishing when going downhill in the P&R or when in a full sprint when in transition. Don’t get me wrong, those skills will be useful at the pro level, but when the game is slower or when operating in a crowd, it remains to be seen if he can develop the polish to compensate for that lack of elite explosiveness. Especially when he can’t just bully opponents the way he was able to in college.

If there’s an intriguing part of Bryant’s game, however, it’s that in his sophomore season he started to flash a more competent jumper. He hit 38.3% of his three-pointers on nearly 2 attempts per game at IU last season. Of course the NBA three is much deeper and with a small sample like that there’s no telling how that all translates, but the form on his shot looks good and he did hit 73% of his FT’s — which indicates some competence as a shooter. I don’t think Luke is going to try to turn Bryant into a stretch big anytime soon, but considering his downhill game as a finisher attacking the rim, an ability to step out and hit a jumper can potentially keep the defense honest.

As far as fit on this team, it’s hard to say where Bryant gets slotted right now. The team still has to make a roster decision on Tarik Black, who has a non-guaranteed contract for next season. If Black is not back next year, I could see Bryant making the team as a 3rd center and spending time in the G-League while Lopez, Zubac, and one of the PF’s (Randle/Nance) soak up all the minutes at C. If that’s the case, though, Bryant could end up getting some valuable reps while also being a nice enough practice player who, over time, might just have a future in this league by building on his physical tools.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bigbob says

    Should have drafted “poor man’s” Drayton Green, Jordan Bell. AC Green reincarnate.

  2. CraigW. says

    This looks like an interesting 2nd team center that could be developed in the G-league for a year or two, until Zubac starts. With his 3pt shot and long arms I would think he would help the 2nd team quite a bit.

  3. FredP says

    Bryant looks like he will beat out Black for the 3rd center spot. He should be able to provide the rim protection the Lakers defense needs and can run in transition. Lopez has chronic foot problems so he will not be leading any fast breaks and Zubac is not exactly fleet of foot. After next season when Lopez is gone, Zubac and Bryant should be able to take over the big center spot when the Lakers aren’t playing small ball.

  4. RR says

    “Then of course, we were able to get amazing salary-cap relief and space, so in July of 2018 we have the ability to add hopefully two max-salary players to our franchise,” Pelinka said. “And that really fit into our long-term play.”

    Now, all Pelinka needs to do is set a public timeline for contention and start wearing baseball caps all the time.

    http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19713724/rob-pelinka-los-angeles-lakers-says-trade-brooklyn-nets-going-big-impact-future

    • West Coast Ram says

      As a guy who has represented players I think I would trust his ability to make an impactful sales pitch than Jim or Mitch. He knows the market so if he thinks that selling the Lakers brand is doable then I’m on board until he is proven wrong.

      • Tar Baby says

        We’re all on board and there’s nothing wrong with the Lakers’ brand…it’s their roster. No sales pitch can change the fact that this is a rebuild and we have to be prepared for the reality that guys who want to win now will likely pass.

    • Clay Bertrand says

      “Now, all Pelinka needs to do is set a public timeline for contention and start wearing baseball caps all the time.”
      _________________________________________________________________

      Lol. Yeah that OR he can ACTUALLY BAG 2 Superstars Free Agents like Jimmy could never do!!! I don’t think Rob’s IM WEARING AN 8TH GRADERS SPORT COAT look will look right with a Monarch Beach hat!!!!

      Very interesting that this approach is SO familiar. I am HOPING that with Magic and Rob, the direction is rooted in actual communications with player reps and not just whipped up by Chazz with a beer chaser.

      Magic said it: “I ALWAYS BET ON MYSELF.” Seems to have worked out for him SO FAR.

  5. Hindi says

    Warriors bought the 38th pick and drafted Jordan Bell. I wish we could have done that. Bell’s defensively ability is highly touted.

  6. Ed says

    Bryant needs the next year to get his body into NBA shape and continue to develop his outside shooting and defense. A project with some potential down the road.Seems intelligent and knows what he has to work on.

  7. RR says

    On another note, FWIW Kevin Pelton’s stat models are high on Hart and Bryant, and that model had Ball as the #1 player in the draft.

    • mattal says

      Yes, on paper this was a solid draft effort by our new FO.

      Doing my coach potato GM analysis I did somewhat fall in like with Thomas’ freakishly long reach and wingspan. I think he slots in as a Five and a Four. If his range translates to the next level he could get more playing time at the Four.

      Hart is a solid pick and may make one of the guards currently on the roster expendable (Nwaba or Ennis).

      Kuzma is cut from the same cloth as Nance albeit with different strengths. I could see a paring of Kuzma at SF and Nance at the Four this season. The only concern is that if Kuzma can’t guard an NBA Three then his best position would be the Four, which is beyond crowded at this point.

      Anxious to see how this team shapes up.

  8. Serik says

    So, who’s in our roster next year?

    Guards: Ball, Clarkson, Hart, Brewer, Nwaba, Ennis
    Forwards: Ingram, Randle, Deng, LNJ, Kuzma, Robinson
    Centers: Lopez, Zubac, Black, Bryant

    That’s 16 guys. Ennis and Robinson are without a contract, though I like Robinson’s game and want him to compete for a spot on the roster. Let’s say Ennis is out.

    Also Rob said that we will get 2-3 guys in FA. It makes 17-18 guys that can contribute (they did contribute last year, guys like Nwaba, Robinson, Black). I see more trades coming up before free agency that will reduce our roster (acquiring future picks for players? will someone take Nwaba for a 2nd round pick? or Randle/Clarkson, Black and Brewer for Paul George?).

  9. Vasheed says

    This only marginally makes sense to me in that his skill set matches up well with Lopez’s.

    • Anonymous says

      Or, Lavar Ball is an idiot and will put undue pressure and attention (for all the wrong reasons) on both Lonzo and the Lakers.

  11. Tar Baby says

    He will be a stretch 4/5 in the NBA — that should offset his lack of athleticism

  12. Lakers17 says

    There are three time points where PG is likely to be traded. The first, which is the draft, has passed. The next is July 1st since the potential trade partners for Indy may just decide to get someone else in free agency. Or the period shortly after when a team doesn’t pick up a need. After these two time points, it’s the Feb deadline. Hopefully Cavs and OKC remain out of contention at that point.

    Also, just to give perspective from Indy.
    http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2017/06/23/nba-draft-why-paul-george-still-indiana-pacers/414313001/

  13. Old Timer says

    Lakers are back!!! just feeling in with the excitement of the new hires. The era of doubt and anemia will be over and I can see we’ll be above .500 this season. Magic was still the king of deception putting Laker fans on the edge of their seat not knowing what will happen on 2nd pick. Well, Fox, JJ, Fultz thought they were the chosen ones too.On the other picture, Rob was the quintessential wheeler dealer finding ways in improving the team and working on cap space. With the entrance of the two, suddenly Lakers got 4 picks instead of one or none. What makes us all feel excited new hires can all shoot 3’s, run, matured enough who have been recognized by their league for excellence as a player. I hope no more trades for Randle and Clarky, just gut it out in 18 and Superstars will come. We should have this kind of feeling a long time ago rather than gambling the tradition with pariah of past coaches under the vision of Chaz. Laker fans were treated shabbily as if Lakers vision are relegated to playoffs and enjoy Clipper attitude of tanking and keep on losing with the Losers for generations.
    Next targets in the future: George, James, Westbrook and the son of Mychal after his contract with Dubs.

  14. david h says

    hey darius: as the old basketball axiom goes: “you can’t teach height” and based on laker’s draft selections last night, certainly Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka appear to be strong believers.
    at 19 years old; six feet eleven inches; 7′ 6″ wingspan and standing reach of 9’4.5″ from Indiana I see a lot of upside to Laker’s number 42 pick; Thomas Bryant
    – Durable
    – Good court vision
    – Finishes at the rim equally well with either hand
    – Good outside shooting form
    *Suggest lakers work Bryant out at both center and power forward positions.
    With the 30th pick, 22 year old; 6’5” shooting guard from Villanova, Josh Hart better known for his defense appears to be line to usurp both Clarkson and Nwaba at the 2 guard position:
    – Clever ball handler
    – Nice shooting form
    – Quick release
    – Spot up shooter
    – Defensively: fundamentally sound; good quickness, good hands; moves his feet well; stays in front of his man; moves decisively thru ball screens.
    *suggest lakers work Hart out at both shooting and back-up point guard positions.

    The #27 pick; 21 year old Kyle Kuzma; power forward at 6’9”; 7’ wingspan from the university of Utah shows the kind of flexibility and maturity laker’s are focused on:

    – Good hands
    – Weak side rim protector
    – Finishes at rim equally well with either hand (seems to be a recurring theme)
    – Athletic
    – Nice outside shooting form/touch
    – Moves well with a distinct fluidity.
    *Suggest laker work Kuzma at both power forward and small forward.

    With the #2 overall pick; 6’6” Lonzo Ball, point guard from UCLA checks all the boxes Magic and Rob were looking forward to in leading a new look Los Angeles Lakers for years to come:
    – Court vision
    – Passing ability
    – Quickness
    – Good hands
    – Good footwork
    – Good judgment
    – Defers to the open man; ability to make others look and play well
    Could go on, and here’s the no brainer: suggest work and play Lonzo at the starting point guard position for the Los Angeles Lakers.
    Go Lakers !

    • Tar Baby says

      Agreed, solid draft overall for the Lakers. Filled a lot of needs and got a low-risk project in Bryant.

      Still don’t have a true Alpha, but set the table to attract one in the next 1-2 seasons (fingers crossed)

  17. swedishmeatballs says

    Off topic, but can we talk about the probable (?) P.J. Dozier signing. Literally knew nothing about the guy before news broke, but after some youtube scouting I’m feeling very good about his defensive potential and overall fit with what the team lacks (not counting shooting). Anyone with more insight into his potential, strengths etc? Thoughts?

    • Tar Baby says

      He’s a bigger version of David Nwaba — solid defender but raw on offense.

      He will struggle to find a spot in a lineup that suddenly has a lot of long, athletic 2/3 combo players and needs guys who can stretch the floor.

      Still, not a bad pickup at all – keep him in the stable for a few years and he could crack the rotation.

  18. Lakers17 says

    So much for that cap space. If Hayward goes to Celtics, which is very likely, they have a deal in place for PG trade with PG signing 3 year extension. I don’t understand why PG would agree to that. It would be pretty stupid of him. He can play one more year to see if he would qualify for the supermax next year, so he would be stupid to sign an extension now.

    https://www.google.com/amp/nesn.com/2017/06/nba-rumors-do-celtics-have-paul-george-trade-if-gordon-hayward-signs/amp/

  19. CraigW. says

    I notice the Lakers didn’t draft/sign any player shorter than 6’6″. We don’t have any 6’1″ PG or 6’3″ SG that will make the roster. The closest is Nwaba @ 6’4″ and P.J. Dozier will compete directly with him and has 6’11” wingspan.

  20. dxmanners says

    Not sold on Bryant, he’s training camp fodder and a mainstay for the Defenders. Let’s see where he is in 18 months. No way he beats out Tarik Black.

  21. dxmanners says

    If Jordan Bell is worth 3.5 million to the Warriors, perhaps we missed something.

  22. rasputinslovechild says

    I’ve never seen him play, but they need to fill out the roster. So, I hope he knows what an honor it is to be selected by the Lakers, and he puts in the work and effort..