After recently being waived by the Los Angeles Lakers, Thomas Bryant was picked up by the Washington Wizards per Yahoo Sports' Shams Charania. Bryant played sparingly for the Lakers last season. The second-rounder out of Indiana University only appeared in 15 games and averaged fewer than five minutes per game.
Bryant did receive reps for the South Bay Lakers in the G-League. He averaged 19.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for South Bay. The 6-foot-10 big man also shot 36 percent from three, taking five threes per game. His ability to knock down shots consistently from the outside could have won over the Wizards.
The Lakers waived Bryant largely due to the salary cap. By waiving him prior to his contract becoming guaranteed, they created additional space. Bryant's career is far from over and although he didn't fit on the Lakers, the Wizards are getting a 20-year-old with promise.
After trading away Marcin Gortat, the Wizards have an opportunity for someone to step up and take some of Gortat's minutes. G League success doesn't guarantee future success in the NBA, but Bryant seems to have the skills to be a productive role player at some point.
Bryant is far cheaper than Gortat. The Wizards were on the hook for Gortat's $13.5 million salary this year before trading him away to the Clippers for Austin Rivers. Bryant, on the other hand, is considerably cheaper and younger. The Wizards light frontcourt could provide an opportunity for Bryant that would not have been available in Los Angeles.
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