Underrated Beasts: Thomas Bryant

This is the first article of a new series called: ‘Underrated Beasts.’ In this series, we are going to look at players in the NBA who are criminally underrated that could sneak up on the league and become major players in the NBA. The first player of this series is Thomas Bryant.

Thomas Bryant was originally drafted 42nd overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. During his rookie season, he only played 15 games and averaged 1.5 points per game in garbage time. After his rookie season, he was traded to the Wizards where his talent began to show.

During his second year in the NBA, he showed the Lakers what they were missing when they didn’t play him by averaging a solid 10.5 points on 61.6% shooting from the field.

During this season, he improved again averaging 12.7 points per game and he massively improved his three-point shot, shooting 43.3% from deep.

It wasn’t until the bubble, however, that we actually saw just what Thomas Bryant could do.

During the bubble so far, Bryant has averaged 20.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, and shot 53.8% from deep.

He’s been showing his potential as a great all-around player as his defense has been up to par as well. These eight bubble games, although the Wizards likely won’t make the play-in, are going to be key developmental games for Bryant.

Next season, Bryant will be re-joined by Bradley Beal and John Wall, meaning that he won’t be the primary focus of the defense. If he can take advantage of being as under-the-radar as he is, expect big things from Bryant in the coming years as the Wizards attempt to re-enter the playoffs at full strength next year.