NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Los Angeles Lakers are still treading water as they await the return of Anthony Davis. While the spotlight remains on LeBron James, the Lakers have another piece to the puzzle that has helped them stay afloat in the Western Conference– Thomas Bryant. With Davis healthy, Bryant has been used in spot duty. However, with Davis on the mend, Bryant has more than used his time to showcase why he could be the man in the paint for years to come.
On the season, Bryant is averaging 12.9 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 68.5 percent from the floor in 21.9 minutes per game. Those are solid numbers, but what he has done in the absence of Davis has drawn the most attention. In his last 10 games, Bryant is averaging 17.1 points, 11.2 rebounds, and shooting 70.6 percent from the floor while playing close to 30 minters per night. Bryant is holding his own.
While Davis is still the bigger draw here, the Los Angeles Lakers will be wise to look at all avenues as the future of the Lakers comes into question. Davis, for as good as he is, cannot stay healthy. If the lakers are looking to make a move either this year or next, Bryant is one of the players that must remain.
Can The Lakers Keep Thomas Bryant?
Davis’s contract runs through 2024 and if they do decide to keep him, who says that Davis and Bryant cannot share the same frontcourt? Bryant is a true Center, and Davis is a pure PF. Even with LeBron there, he can move back to his natural SF position.
Bryant, just 25 will be a free agent at the end of this season. Can the Los Angeles Lakers afford to keep him is the question? If he keeps up his numbers, there will be teams calling his agent and a huge payday waiting for him. But does he give the Lakers a hometown discount?
Thomas Bryant has also shown that he had potential dating back to his early days with the Washington Wizards. While he did play well with them, 2022-23 has been his breakout campaign. The Lakers’ roster has gone through ups and downs this season but one of the consistent players has been Bryant.
There are reports that the Lakers will bring in DeMarcus Cousins and with the team being so heavy at the guard position, a little insurance in the frontcourt will not hurt. But will that take away from Bryant’s minutes when Davis does return?
With the emergence of Thomas Bryant, Darvin Ham can use a bigger lineup once all the pieces are in place. If they sign Cousins or another big, this will be the insurance they need. Imagine a starting lineup that features James, Davis, and Bryant in the frontcourt to go along with Dennis Schroder and Pat Beverley. The Lakers are currently ranked 27th in Points surrendered per game but rank 5th in Points Scored. Adding Bryant to that starting unit should improve them on both ends of the floor.
There are times when giving a player his flowers are appropriate. For Thomas Bryant, that time is now.
