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3 surprising Lakers who won’t last all of 2023 in LA

By Jason Reed

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center on December 27, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center on December 27, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

2. Thomas Bryant

Thomas Bryant has played really good basketball in his return to Los Angeles. It is a return that probably should have never happened as the Lakers should have given him his proper NBA chance after being the best player on the South Bay Lakers and by a mile.

Bryant missed the start of the season with a thumb injury and upon his return, it seemed like Darvin Ham had no idea how to use him. Anthony Davis’s injury has forced Ham to give Bryant more playing time and it has paid off. Bryant has been more than just a rotational center. He has been really good.

The center market is not an expensive one and he shouldn’t warrant a massive contract in the offseason but he definitely won’t be available for the minimum. Los Angeles should be able to afford to bring Bryant back but with how this team operates, we have to assume that he will find a new home.

The center position has been a revolving door in Los Angeles over the last half-decade or so as Rob Pelinka cannot find out a long-term or short-term solution. With how this team operates, we just have to assume they will go out and sign whatever veteran they can get on the minimum and let Bryant sign elsewhere.

It is a shame because having a solid center in the playoffs is still important. It might not be as important with the way the game is played (and the fact that the team has Anthony Davis). But go look at that 2020 championship run again. Dwight Howard had a role on that team and was a factor.

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