With a lack of young assets and mid-level complementary players, the Los Angeles Lakers need as many of their young players as possible to take that next step forward.
It will be one of the most critical keys to their chances of being competitive this season.
Two of the team’s most important prospects are wing Austin Reaves, who is going into his second season, and Thomas Bryant, a 25-year-old free agent center L.A. signed nearly two months ago.
Luckily, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, both have been looking good during workouts this summer.
Via The Athletic:
“Reaves and Thomas Bryant have been two of the standout performers in player workouts, league sources told The Athletic.”
Reaves emerged last season as a gem, despite being an undrafted rookie. He has shown the potential to be a knock-down 3-point shooter, wing defender and secondary ball-handler.
Meanwhile, Bryant suffered an ACL injury in January 2021. Prior to that, he had a scoring average in the low-teens while shooting better than 40% from 3-point range.
He has been a solid rim protector, a strong finisher who can run the floor and a decent rebounder.
If Bryant is even close to what he was prior to his injury, he has the potential to be one of the team’s best non-stars.
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