Both the Spurs and the Lakers made moves in the offseason this week.
These two moves aren't surprising with the NBA offseason and free agents being signed. However, they’re quite a bit underwhelming considering the comparisons.
The San Antonio Spurs claimed forward Isaiah Roby off of waivers to build depth in the lineup. Roby, 24, averaged 10 points on 51% shooting for the Oklahoma City Thunder last season and had started 62 games for them over the last two years.
Roby was the 45th pick in the NBA Draft in 2019 and boasts a solid 6’8” frame. He plays strong defense as well, giving the Spurs something to look forward to.
At this point, the Spurs are essentially in the process of a rebuild. They lost superstar Dejounte Murray to the Atlanta Hawks and Murray was a focal point of the team. Roby will likely earn a lot of minutes on the roster, especially with Murray out of the picture.
Over in Los Angeles, the Lakers have signed C Thomas Bryant to a one-year veterans minimum contract. This will likely see Bryant backing up Anthony Davis next season.
There are still plenty of moves that the Lakers need to make before the season begins. A big question is whether they’ll be able to land Kyrie Irving in exchange for Russell Westbrook.
Bryant was originally drafted by the Lakers in the second round of the 2017 draft. He has a career average of 13.2 points and 7.2 rebounds in 46 games during the 2019-20 season.
Injuries are a big concern for Bryant, who missed most of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns with the Washington Wizards. If he’s healthy, he could prove to be a significant addition.
Yahoo Sports first reported Bryant's deal with the Lakers.