There’s talent to be had for the Lakers at No. 17 in the NBA draft

When the NBA holds its annual draft on Thursday, the Lakers will perhaps take a peek into what the future has in store for them.

They hold the 17th pick in the draft, a selection they can use to add more young talent or as a trade chip to bring in a quality veteran to assist LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the win-now path this team is on. The Lakers also have a second-round pick at No. 47.

Teams like the Lakers that are drafting in the mid-teens seem to be looking for some version of the same player, according to NBA scouts not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

“I can see the Lakers and teams in the same spot as them looking for the best available player and for players with shooting range,” a Western Conference scout said. “You’re looking for length. You are looking for 3-and-D. That’s the going rate for everybody now, looking for somebody that can guard and somebody that can shoot.”

The only sure things in this draft, scouts said, are the top three picks.

San Antonio has the first pick and is expected to draft 7-4 wunderkind Victor Wembanyama from France. Charlotte is second and is expected to draft either forward Brandon Miller from Alabama or point guard Scoot Henderson from G League Ignite. Portland is third and is expected to take whoever doesn’t go second.

At No. 17, the Lakers will have to wait to see who is left on the draft board that they still like.

“When there is a consensus top three, like there is this year, then anything can happen afterwards,” an Eastern Conference scout said. “The three guys at the top, none of those guys are going to fall out of the top three. And then afterwards, it’s kind of a matter who teams like.

“I do think the Lakers will get somebody good at 17. I think it’s a good…