Davon Reed

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 new-look Los Angeles Lakers won't include Thomas Bryant. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski...

The acquisition of Vanderbilt helped the Lakers fortify their frontcourt depth. 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. Bryant had grown unhappy with his diminished PT since AD returned and asked LAL to look for a better situation.

According to ESPN, the Nuggets are trading Bones Hyland to the Clippers. The Lakers are also trading center Thomas Bryant to the Nuggets in exchange for ...

[Jarred Vanderbilt](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/2892548/jarred-vanderbilt/), as well as [Wenyen Gabriel](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/2355020/wenyen-gabriel/). And since the Lakers were unlikely to re-sign him over the offseason due to their lack of financial flexibility, it also makes sense that they'd look to get some value in return for Bryant as opposed to losing him for nothing. Bryant is playing for a contract this season, so it makes sense that he would want an opportunity to play as much as possible in order to show his stuff. The move was likely one Bryant was on board with, as he had grown unhappy with his role in L.A. In 41 appearances (and 25 starts), Bryant averaged 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per performance for the Lakers. The Lakers receive Denver's second-round picks in 2025, 2026 and 2029.

The Lakers made a bevy of moves during the final hours of the NBA Trade Deadline on Thursday.

In the last few weeks, the Lakers have dramatically revamped their roster adding Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Mo Bamba, Malik Beasley, and D'Angelo Russell. The moves make the Lakers longer, younger, more athletic, and more versatile. The 34-year-old averaged just 6.4 points and 2.6 assists in 45 games with the Lakers this season. Bamba was averaging 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game this season with the Magic. The only other true center on their roster, Damian Jones, was traded to the Utah Jazz in the Westbrook deal that landed former Minnesota Timberwolves point guard D'Angelo Russell back in Los Angeles. However, according to Yahoo Sports NBA reporter Chris Haynes, Bryant requested the trade out of Los Angeles after his role diminished upon Davis' return.