The Los Angeles Lakers made a surprise move on Thursday when they shipped Thomas Bryant to the Denver Nuggets for Davon Reed and three second-round picks.
The move didn't feel like it made a ton of sense in the moment, as they were helping a Western Conference contender, and losing a guy averaging 12.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. However, after the initial shock of the move, it was easy to see what the Lakers were doing.
First, the Lakers recouped the three second-round picks they traded in the Rui Hachimura deal. They now have five second-round picks to trade, as well as their 2029 first-round pick. That's more than enough to swing one more win-now move before the deadline.
Second, the Lakers had to make room on their roster for Wenyen Gabriel and the newly acquired Jarred Vanderbilt. Both players will provide a ton of energy on both sides of the basketball, and can give the Lakers exactly what Bryant was bringing them.
Finally, it was reported that Bryant requested the trade, as he wasn't happy with his diminished role since Anthony Davis' return.
Bryant signed a $2.1 million contract this offseason, and is playing to make a lot more in the offseason. You can't blame him for wanting to have a big role elsewhere in order to make himself a nice pay day in the offseason.
The Lakers are making it clear that they have one more move coming. With a little over two hours to go until the deadline, expect one more surprise.
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