Lakers Predicted to Reunite With Former Big Man in Free Agency

The Los Angeles Lakers have to make a few big moves this offseason. They are coming off of a bad season and Rob Pelinka was advised to get rid of struggling players. Everything points to the fact that the 2021-22 Lakers team didn’t work at all. Players struggled with inconsistency and some of them were unable to fit in the system. NBA analysts advised the Lakers to reunite with a former big man.

Pelinka doesn’t have too much money to work with. However, he can always pull a deal or two. A sign-and-trade move is still an option.

Greg Swartz from Bleacher Report bets on former Lakers big man Thomas Bryant. According to Swartz, Bryant could work well alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Chris Haynes reported that Pelinka is not the only General Manager to go after Bryant. The Boston Celtics have shown interest in signing the big man.

Yahoo Sources: Free agent center Thomas Bryant is receiving significant interest from contending teams including Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. He’s expected to make a decision later this morning.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2022

Lakers to reunite with the former big man for the win

The Utah Jazz selected Bryant with the 42^nd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He spent his rookie season in LA because Tony Bradley was on his way to Salt Lake City. In his rookie campaign, Bryant saw action in 15 games for the Lakers. He averaged 1.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game with the team.

“Bryant could attempt to rehab his value as a starting center in L.A. on a minimum deal and look to cash in next offseason. Before tearing his ACL, he was averaging 14.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 0.8 blocks, and shooting 42.9 percent from three in his first 10 games 2020-21,” Swartz wrote on July 3. “Adding a floor-spacing big man in the frontcourt next to Davis would give everyone more room to operate, especially if Russell Westbrook returns.”

Pelinka can give Bryant a veteran minimum. He can still find a good deal somewhere else. Brad Turner from the LA Times reported that Bryant will wait for a few more offers before he makes a decision. Will he go to Boston? Will he sign with the Toronto Raptors?

Sources: Lakers have a strong interest in reuniting with free-agent center Thomas Bryant, but with LA just having the veteran minimum to offer he’s in no rush to make a decision. Plus, the Lakers have competition for the services of Bryant, as Toronto is also interested.

— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) July 1, 2022

The Lakers have plenty of time to make the right move. Their offseason started a little early this time.