The Nuggets acquired Thomas Bryant from the Los Angeles Lakers for Davon Reed and three second-round picks, multiple sources told The Denver Post on Thursday.
Bryant, a 6-foot-10 center, is averaging 12.1 points per game and 6.8 rebounds in over 21 minutes per game.
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There are no protections on the second-round picks, a source said. The three second-round picks are for 2025, 2026 and 2029, a source said. The Post reported on Wednesday that the Nuggets were on the hunt for a backup five and someone who could crack the playoff rotation.
In Bryant, the Nuggets added a productive reserve center who can help spell Nikola Jokic in the postseason. Beyond Denver’s regular starters, Bruce Brown and Christian Braun, the Nuggets were lacking in reliable reserve big men. Bryant fills a glaring need. The 2017 second-round pick spent four seasons in Washington before signing with the Lakers this past season in free agency and blossoming into a strong rotational piece.
The move could also make playing time sparse for veterans Jeff Green and DeAndre Jordan, not to mention third-year forward Zeke Nnaji.
Bryant’s also only 25 years old and is set to be a free agent this summer. He started 25 games for the Lakers this season, who acquired Jarred Vanderbilt in a three-team trade on Wednesday from the Jazz.
Bryant is shooting 65% from the field and 44% from 3-point range on the year. Two weeks ago, Bryant recorded 31 points and 14 rebounds in a win over the Blazers.
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