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Sources: Lakers agree to deal with Thomas Bryant

The Lakers took Thomas Bryant with the No. 42 pick in the June draft. (Getty)
The Lakers took Thomas Bryant with the No. 42 pick in the June draft. (Getty)

The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a two-year contract with Thomas Bryant of Indiana, the No. 42 overall selection in the June NBA draft, league sources told The Vertical.

Bryant’s deal will be guaranteed for the upcoming season, with a team option for 2018-19, league sources said. The Lakers drafted Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 overall pick in June to become a franchise cornerstone, and came away with Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and Bryant, as well.

The Lakers had no salary cap room to use on signing Bryant after using their remaining space to sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but found a shorter-term agreement with Bryant. Bryant, an active and athletic 6-foot-10 forward, had a strong summer league in helping lead the Lakers to a championship in Las Vegas.

Lakers president Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka have prioritized maintaining financial flexibility for next summer’s free agency.

Bryant entered the NBA after two standout seasons at Indiana.

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