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NBA Trade Grades: Lakers follow Westbrook deal with head-scratching move

By Jonathan Lurensky

Jan 22, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Thomas Bryant (31) reacts after a dunk during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Thomas Bryant (31) reacts after a dunk during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Lakers traded Thomas Bryant to the Nuggets acquiring three seconds and Davon Reed back. Why did either team do this deal?

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are trading Thomas Bryant to the Nuggets for Davon Reed and three second-round picks. Bryant wanted a trade after Anthony Davis came back in the lineup according to Ramona Shelburne.

The trade demand came after Bryant realized he was going to lack playing time and wanted to find a place where he would have a larger role. The Lakers were able to get three seconds in the deal and could move those picks before the deadline is over. This trade came as a bit of a surprise as it seemed that the Lakers were gonna keep him. He played solid minutes for the Lakers after Anthony Davis went out with an injury.

Nuggets scoop a solid backup center for free with Thomas Bryant

I love this trade for the Nuggets. Denver got a very solid backup center for their title run. Bryant will still be playing in the same role as he was for the Lakers but he is the clear backup center after Deandre Jordan’s poor performance this season. This trade was a very buy-low trade for the Nuggets and they got great value for three seconds. Denver was able to sniff a rotational player who has a nice offensive game for very cheap.

Nuggets Grade: B+

The Lakers get value for a player who requested a trade

This trade would be an automatic C or C- if Bryant hadn’t requested a trade. But he clearly didn’t want to be there and they don’t have time to mess around with bad chemistry. The Lakers ended up getting good-ish value for someone who was going to leave in the summer. For a player who they couldn’t afford to re-sign next offseason, three second-round picks aren’t that bad.

Davon Reed is a playable shooting guard who can play some minutes in the regular season but should probably not sniff a lot of playoff minutes. He is getting paid $2 million next season but the deal is non-guaranteed. The three second-round picks are the main prize for the Lakers in this deal.

Lakers: B-/C+

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