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Los Angeles Lakers round out roster with Thomas Bryant

By Kenneth Teape

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 17: Thomas Bryant #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to rebound against the Portland Trailblazers during the 2017 Summer League Finals on July 17, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 17: Thomas Bryant #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to rebound against the Portland Trailblazers during the 2017 Summer League Finals on July 17, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers signed second round pick Thomas Bryant to a guaranteed deal for the 2017-18 season.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been busy turning over their roster this offseason. The Lakers will have plenty of new faces in the fold, especially in the backcourt. They will have a new duo at point guard and shooting guard in No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball and free agent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

The backcourt isn’t the only place that will see changes. The wing has gone virtually untouched, as Brandon Ingram, Corey Brewer, and Luol Deng are still there. But, the frontcourt features plenty of new players as well.

The biggest change will be at center, where Brook Lopez will be the starter, at least for one season. Lopez was acquired from the Brooklyn Nets, along with the 27th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, in exchange for D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov. The 27th pick also produced a new face in the frontcourt in power forward, Kyle Kuzma.

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In addition to Ball and Kuzma, the Lakers made two more selections in the 2017 NBA Draft. The Lakers traded the 28th overall pick for No. 30 and No. 42 from the Utah Jazz. With the 30th pick the Lakers selected Villanova shooting guard, Josh Hart. With the 42nd pick, the Lakers took Indiana center, Thomas Bryant.

Bryant is actually the last player that the Lakers will be adding to their roster. Bryant and the team agreed to a guaranteed deal for the 2017-18 season. The former Hoosier earned it with his strong play in the Las Vegas Summer League. He showcased his three-point shooting ability and impressive 7-feet-6 inch wingspan; two things the Lakers really like.

Bryant will function as depth for the Lakers at center behind Lopez and Ivica Zubac at the start. Given his skill set, Bryant does have a chance to carve out some minutes down the road, especially if Zubac struggles.

Zubac admitted that he wasn’t playing as well as he had hoped in Las Vegas; if that continues Bryant could be there to pick up some minutes. Bryant will have to show the Lakers something this season. The second year of his deal is a team option as the Lakers want to keep their salary cap open for the future.

Next: 10 Greatest Draft Picks In Lakers History

With Bryant signed, the Lakers now have 15 players on their roster. They also have one more two-way deal available, as Alex Caruso landed the first one during the Summer League.

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