The Los Angeles Lakers' latest addition during free agency is someone they are familiar with. Center Thomas Bryant has signed a one-year deal to return to the team he began his career with.
Shortly after news broke of his re-signing with the Lakers, Bryant tweeted out that he is feeling deja vu.
It’s like deja vu lol 💪🏾
— Thomas Bryant (@nolimittb31) July 6, 2022
Bryant will contend for the Lakers' starting center spot alongside Anthony Davis and should be able to win the gig. He has shown impressive shooting touch for a big man, both from deep and the free-throw line, and is an ideal pick-and-roll partner for LeBron James. Although he isn't the best defender, having Davis alongside him can help out on that end of the floor.
The primary issue with Bryant is that, like Davis, he is seemingly always hurt. He hasn't played more than 50 games in a season since the 2018-19 campaign. He struggled last season, averaging just 7.4 points and shooting very poorly from the field by his standards.
Despite his flaws, Bryant is a great player to try out next to James and Davis. The Lakers should still look to get more reliable big men because of Bryant's injury history (and Davis' reluctance to play center). Still, if Bryant can regain his best form, LA will have a very good frontcourt tandem.
Bryant is the latest young player the Lakers have signed this offseason, joining Lonnie Walker and Troy Brown Jr. LA also signed veteran forward Juan Toscano-Anderson away from the Golden State Warriors and big man Damian Jones, who will seemingly also compete for the starting center role.
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