The Los Angeles Lakers have signed stretch-5 Thomas Bryant to a one-year deal, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. Bryant will contend for the starting center gig, per Haynes. Anthony Davis prefers to play the 4, but he spent more time than ever (per minute) at the center position in 2021-22.
Bryant was selected by the Utah Jazz in the second round (No. 42 overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft. He appeared in 15 games for the Lakers in 2017-18, then spent the past four seasons with the Washington Wizards. For his career, the 24-year-old ex-Indiana Hoosiers center (6'10, 250) has averaged 10.2 points and 5.7 rebounds while hitting 35% of his three-point attempts and 59% of his field-goal attempts.
Bryant tore his ACL in January 2021 but played in 27 games last season.
Last week, the Lakers signed Damian Jones to buoy Davis, as AD's load management has been a common talking point for Darvin Ham since his hiring. Jones, however, is a rim-runner and protector, more so than a floor-spacer. Ham will implement a 4-out, 1-in system that aims to create spacing around the Lakers' stars. (Jay Huff, who spent 2021-22 on a two-way contract and starred in the first two games of Summer League, is also vying for a roster spot).
At time of writing, the Lakers roster sits at 14 players, including 19-year-old Max Christie, who was selected No. 35 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft. The Lakers have sharpshooter Cole Swider and two-way point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. on two-way deals.
Bryant is the fifth free agent signing the Lakers have made in the past week, joining Jones, Lonnie Walker IV, Troy Brown Jr., and Juan Toscano-Anderson — all five are under the age of 30.
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