It came as a surprise to many that the Los Angeles Lakers decided to deal Thomas Bryant ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
It wasn’t a surprise to either Los Angeles or Bryant, for that matter, though.
Los Angeles sent Bryant — who requested a trade — to Denver, while the Nuggets sent back Davon Reed and three second-round picks. ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski previously reported the trade details.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne was the first to report that Bryant had grown unhappy with his diminished playing time in Los Angeles since Anthony Davis returned to the fold and recently asked the Lakers to look for a better situation — which wound up being Denver.
“Bryant had grown unhappy with his diminished PT since AD returned and asked LAL to look for a better situation. He’d also outplayed his contract & LA only has mid-level to re-sign him— so they opted to give his minutes to Wenyen Gabriel & replenish the picks they gave up for Rui,” Shelburne tweeted.
Bryant had grown unhappy with his diminished PT since AD returned and asked LAL to look for a better situation. He’d also outplayed his contract & LA only has mid-level to re-sign him— so they opted to give his minutes to Wenyen Gabriel & replenish the picks they gave up for Rui. https://t.co/OLaVrB9AkN
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 9, 2023
“Thomas Bryant requested a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers after his minutes diminished once Anthony Davis returned from injury, sources @tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport,” Yahoo! Sports NBA insider Chris Haynes tweeted.
Thomas Bryant requested a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers after his minutes diminished once Anthony Davis returned from injury, sources @tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 9, 2023
According to Haynes, Bryant felt he deserved consistent minutes, though he was averaging 12 points and 6.8 rebounds in 21 minutes per/game. After trading Bryant, the Lakers then turned around and used one of three second-round picks that they acquired from Denver and shipped it to Orlando, along with Patrick Beverley and cash considerations, in exchange for former first-round pick Mo Bamba.
Bryant felt he deserved consistent minutes. Lakers used one of the three second-round picks from Denver and shipped it to Orlando with Pat Bev to acquire Mo Bamba.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 9, 2023
“Bryant has given the Lakers some productive and high-energy stretches this season,” Wojanrokwsi tweeted.
Bryant has given the Lakers some productive and high-energy stretches this season, averaging 12 points and 6.8 rebounds in 21 minutes. Physical addition to Nuggets’ frontline.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2023
While Bryant was valuable to the Lakers’ frontcourt this season, the NBA world found it rather absurd that a player in his position would request a trade.
Thomas Bryant ain’t get this pass from Bron and said enough was enough 😭 https://t.co/0wK69WfFWz pic.twitter.com/MT68tE1kwU
— Oluwajomiloju (@JomiAdeniran) February 9, 2023
Thomas Bryant actually thought LeBron James should’ve passed him the ball lol https://t.co/dZy8BruxHE pic.twitter.com/n42lqUv5F7
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 9, 2023
i could score 20 points on thomas bryant rn. who do these role players think they are https://t.co/5d4ZhDlQvz
— SJ (@SJBasketball8) February 9, 2023
Hey Thomas Bryant remember when you had the chance of being a legitimate 20min rotation player in Boston or playing for the Lakers? Good choice
— Corey B (@CoreyB08) February 9, 2023
Lakers trading away Thomas Bryant and getting Mo Bamba is a BIG W. Bryant is on a minimum contract and would have been hard to bring back. Bamba has a non-guaranteed deal for next season, so we can keep him as the backup next year or let him go for cap flexibility for FA
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) February 9, 2023
Jokić would have passed the ball to Thomas Bryant instead of breaking the scoring record
— Grace Marlowe (@graceofthecurls) February 9, 2023
Thomas Bryant's only 25 years old. He can be a free agent this summer. Salary is $2.1 million this year. But he's a piece that can absolutely bolster Denver's second unit frontcourt.
— Mike Singer (@msinger) February 9, 2023
Thomas Bryant requested a trade like he was prime Yao and Rob said no problem 👍
— Juan 🇸🇻 (@LOLL________) February 9, 2023
I’m……actually baffled that he thought his minutes were going to be the same when AD came back. Like was he for real? https://t.co/frVOnLRuiC
— 𝒮𝒾𝑒. (@Cindtrillella) February 9, 2023
Wow, I guess you never know what's going on behind closed doors. Seems the Lakers chemistry was all the way down. https://t.co/O5nlHKg5Tl
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) February 9, 2023
Wait til he hears about this Jokic fella https://t.co/0012MxGQXZ
— Kev (@klew24) February 9, 2023
Lots of time behind Jokic? https://t.co/peZfEgrfJn
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 9, 2023
[Ramona Shelburne, Chris Haynes]
