Mar 1, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards center Thomas Bryant (13) celebrates after a dunk against the Detroit Pistons in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Lakers did not live up to expectations last year, missing out on the playoffs for the second time in four years last season.

A number of injuries to key players like Anthony Davis and LeBron James hampered the team last season, but there were some very obvious chemistry issues that were apparent on the team as well.

It is clear that the team needed to shake things up in a big way, and the team decided to bring back a familiar face to the organization on Tuesday.

Yahoo Sports/TNT’s Chris Haynes reported Tuesday night that the Lakers are signing veteran center Thomas Bryant to a one-year deal.

There is reportedly a real chance that Bryant could end up becoming the starting center alongside Anthony Davis next season.

Following a college career with the Indiana Hoosiers from 2015-17, Bryant was selected in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2017 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz, but was traded on draft night along with 30th overall pick Josh Hart for 28th overall pick Tony Bradley. Bryant mostly played for the Lakers’ South Bay Lakers G-League affiliate in 2017-18, but impressed there, earning a selection to the All G-League first team. He also played in 15 regular-season games for the NBA Lakers that season. Bryant tweeted about his reunion in Los Angeles after his signing was announced.

 

Bryant was waived after one season in Los Angeles, but then played for the Washington Wizards. He saw more playing time there, and was once considered a promising part of their future.

Injuries have been the story of Bryant’s career to this point. He only played in 37 games in the last two NBA seasons. But while he was in Washington, he showed some good chemistry with former teammate Russell Westbrook, who is now the point guard for the Lakers.

Many Lakers fans took to social media to welcome him back to the team, and seem excited to see what he can do in his second stint in Los Angeles.

The Lakers also had the oldest roster in the NBA last season, with an average age of 30.9 last season. So bringing in Bryant (who will turn 25 later this month) should give Los Angeles some fresh legs heading into the 2022 NBA season.

[Chris Haynes on Twitter]

About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.

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