6 players the Lakers should bring back at all costs next season
By Cal Durrett
Los Angeles Lakers: Thomas Bryant
After missing the team’s first month of games of the season, few expected center Thomas Bryant to play as well as he has. Bryant’s introduction to the Lakers’ rotation has given them a highly productive offensive center who has shot the ball well from three.
Better still, he’s come up big during the absence of Davis, averaging 17.4 points and 10.8 rebounds during his last 10 games. That stretch should be enough to convince Los Angeles that re-signing him is an off-season priority. The question of cost then comes into play, with Bryant probably wanting a raise after signing for the minimum and they may receive some competition from other teams.
Stretch fives are certainly useful in the NBA, but there is also an abundance of centers. Moreover, there are several other valuable centers like Kristaps Porzingis, Jakob Poeltl, Myles Turner, and Naz Reid that will also be available, perhaps drawing attention and money away from Bryant.
That could work to the Lakers’ benefit, and they could potentially retain him on a one-year deal that pays around $7 million next season. Bringing Bryant back would help solidify the Lakers’ frontcourt and ensure that they have another scoring threat at center.