Los Angeles Lakers Complete Surprising Trade With Denver Nuggets

After being such a great fit for the Los Angeles Lakers this season, six-year veteran big man Thomas Bryant has been sent packing, to the Denver Nuggets, in return for Davon Reed and three second-round draft picks.

The Lakers are sending Thomas Bryant to the Nuggets for Davon Reed and three 2nd round picks, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/mP02ACcuGm

— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) February 9, 2023

Bryant was outplaying his $2.1M deal for the Lakers this season, and was even being considered for a starting role alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis until they acquired Rui Hachimura. 

However, since the return of AD, he's actually had a diminished role.

Thomas Bryant grew unhappy with his diminished role since Anthony Davis returned and wanted to be in a better situation, per @ramonashelburne pic.twitter.com/TaGPbAINDt

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) February 9, 2023

Per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Thomas wanted to be somewhere where he could have a bigger role. 

The 25-year-old was averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in just 21 minutes per game for the Lakers, while shooting 65.4% from the field.

According to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times, with the Lakers moving over the cap via trades, Bryant would be unaffordable to re-sign in the offseason, making it best to route him to a new home now instead of losing him for nothing this summer.

He'll be a great fit as a backup big in Denver.

Reed is a little-used 6'5" guard in his 4th NBA season. 

Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports