Thomas Bryant

Bryant, who signed a one-year deal with Los Angeles this offseason, is averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds a game.

They also value fourth-year big [Wenyen Gabriel](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/wenyen-gabriel-r8zgk7urDgmH0hNc/), who has been out of the rotation recently. Los Angeles sits 13th in the Western Conference standings while Denver (38-17) boasts the second-best record in the [NBA](https://theathletic.com/nba/)behind [Boston](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/celtics/). [Jarred Vanderbilt](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/jarred-vanderbilt-PmTxzdRpyfGBRjkU/) on Wednesday, the Lakers had a logjam at the center position. Their next trade — another move is almost certainly happening — will likely include the use of a second-round pick or two rather than a first-round pick, according to a team source. Bryant, who filled in admirably when Davis missed five-and-a-half weeks due to a right foot injury, will back-up Bryant averaged 14.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in January.

The Lakers will trade Thomas Bryant to Denver for wing Davon Reed and three second-round picks, a deal first reported by ESPN and confirmed to Southern ...

While he started out the season with a thumb injury that required surgery, he quickly caught on as a hard runner in transition and a soft finisher by the rim. As a starter when Davis was injured for a month, Bryant was a stalwart, averaging 14.5 points and 8.6 rebounds to fill a huge offensive hole. But Bryant also struggled on the defensive end, and with Beverley got out to a sluggish start shooting this season but remained a starter in spite of his offensive struggles, winding up averaging 6.4 points and shooting 34.8% from 3-point range while setting a tone on defense. The 24-year-old averaged 10.6 points and 8.1 rebounds last season as Orlando’s starting center, but he saw his production slide this season after losing ground to Wendell Carter Jr. The Lakers will trade Thomas Bryant to Denver for wing Davon Reed and three second-round draft picks, a deal first reported by ESPN and confirmed to Southern California News Group.

The Lakers are trading Thomas Bryant to the Nuggets for Davon Reed and three second-round picks, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

[Kentavious Caldwell-Pope](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2581018/kentavious-caldwell-pope) has been a big addition, along with [Bruce Brown](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4065670/bruce-brown). [Aaron Gordon](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3064290/aaron-gordon) is posting big numbers, too. [Jamal Murray](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3936299/jamal-murray) (he missed all of last season as he recovered from a torn ACL) and [Michael Porter Jr](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4278104/michael-porter-jr). But the conference got a whole lot more difficult with [Kyrie Irving](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6442/kyrie-irving)'s arrival in Dallas and the [Phoenix Suns](/nba/team/_/name/phx/phoenix-suns) trading for [Kevin Durant](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3202/kevin-durant). Bamba, a 24-year-old shot-blocker with the ability to shoot 3s, will also provide more frontcourt depth. Bryant is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer. The Magic announced in their release on Thursday that Beverley won't be required to report to the team, opening the door to a buyout. [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4066264/wenyen-gabriel) and [Jarred Vanderbilt](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4278077/jarred-vanderbilt), a fresh face from the three-team [Russell Westbrook](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3468/russell-westbrook) deal, to receive Bryant's minutes behind [Anthony Davis](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6583/anthony-davis). [Nikola Jokic](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3112335/nikola-jokic). [Mo Bamba](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4277919/mo-bamba), whom they acquired in a trade with the [Orlando Magic](/nba/team/_/name/orl/orlando-magic) for guard [Patrick Beverley](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3964/patrick-beverley), a 2024 second-round pick and cash considerations. [Los Angeles Lakers](/nba/team/_/name/lal/los-angeles-lakers) traded center [Thomas Bryant](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3934723/thomas-bryant) to the [Denver Nuggets](/nba/team/_/name/den/denver-nuggets) for [Davon Reed](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3059262/davon-reed) and three second-round picks, the teams announced Thursday.

Denver acquires Thomas Bryant in a 4-team deal with the Lakers, the Clippers and the Magic.

Jokic led the way by posting his league-leading 19th triple-double of the season by halftime. The Nuggets turned in their highest-scoring game of the season Tuesday when they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 146-112. Jokic has plenty of help this season, though, with the return of max players Jamal Murray (he missed all of last season as he recovered from a torn ACL) and Michael Porter Jr. The Los Angeles Lakers continued their roster remodel on trade deadline day by sending Thomas Bryant to the Denver Nuggets in a four-team deal with the LA Clippers and Orlando Magic. But the conference got a whole lot more difficult with Kyrie Irving’s arrival in Dallas and the Phoenix Suns trading for Kevin Durant. The arrival of Bryant gives the Nuggets another big man to back up two-time reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.

Lakers get Denver's seconds in 2025, 2026 and 2029, sources tell ESPN. Moving Bryant opens up minutes for Jarred Vanderbilt and Wenyen Gabriel in rotation.

Not only has Bryant started in 25 of the 41 games he’s played in this season, but he’s constantly performed well and provides great energy anytime he’s on the court. On the season, Bryant is averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game all while shooting 65.4 percent from the field. This is an exceptional move for Denver as they add a player who can easily slot in as their backup center.