Ranking the Top 10 Draft Picks in Lakers History

8. Andrew Bynum (Round 1, Pick 10, 2005)

There are obviously many strong opinions to be had about Andrew Bynum and his time in the NBA, however, there’s also no denying that there was at least a period with the Lakers when he had an enormous effect on the team. Though he was hardly the featured player, his presence in the frontcourt undoubtedly aided the Lakers in winning the title in the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Granted that the teams with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol around Bynum were incredible, they were just plain dominant with the big center in Bynum on the floor. Even in the year they didn’t win the title in the 2010-11 season, Bynum’s dominance was evident as the Lakers put up 121 points per 100 possessions and gave up merely 100 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor. A net-rating of +21 is just absurd, but Bynum was good enough for the Lakers for it to be possible.

Despite the headaches he caused later on, Bynum was also a big reason for the Lakers’ relevance after those two championships. When healthy, he was a beast down low and it’s a shame that he couldn’t stay healthy and always seemed to be entrenched in some sort of controversy.

Next: No. 7 Marc Gasol