Nuggets Bolster Frontcourt Acquiring Thomas Bryant From Lakers

Nuggets Bolster Frontcourt Acquiring Thomas Bryant From Lakers

The Denver Nuggets have been one of the best teams in the NBA this season, currently sitting in first place in the Western Conference. With a record of 38-17, they are 4.5 games clear of the second-place Memphis Grizzlies.

While they are sitting pretty now, they aren’t resting on their laurels. After watching other contenders in the Western Conference make moves, the Nuggets have made an upgrade of their own.

Denver is acquiring center Thomas Bryant from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Davon Reed and three second-round picks. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the second-round picks are all via the Nuggets in 2025, 2026 and 2029.

For the Nuggets, Bryant will fill a hole on their roster. They have been unable to find consistent production behind back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic, but he will fill that void. Bryant is a sizable upgrade on veteran DeAndre Jordan, who has been in and out of the rotation all season.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Thomas Bryant, Denver Nuggets & Los Angeles Lakers Updates

On the season, Bryant is averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in only 21.4 minutes per game. He admirably filled in for Anthony Davis while he was injured, averaging 14.5 points and 8.6 rebounds as a starter. Bryant has also shot the ball efficiently this season. Also will provide the Nuggets with good minutes in the middle whenever Jokic is on the bench.

From the Lakers’ perspective, Bryant’s role was going to change. Along with the addition of Jarred Vanderbilt from the blockbuster three-team trade centered around Russell Westbrook. Los Angeles also still has Wenyen Gabriel on the roster as an emergency big man.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Thomas Bryant, Denver Nuggets & Los Angeles Lakers Updates

Being able to get three second-round picks in a deal centered around a veteran’s minimum off-season signing is good work by Rob Pelinka. Those three picks will essentially replenish the ones that the Lakers sent to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Rui Hachimura.

Reed’s role with the Lakers is currently unclear, as there is a chance that the team waives him to create a roster spot. Per Bobby Marks of ESPN, the Lakers and Nuggets both create a small trade exception with this deal.

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