Utah Jazz Send Josh Hart and Thomas Bryant to the Lakers for Tony Bradley
On June 22nd, 2017, the Utah Jazz traded the draft rights of Josh Hart and Thomas Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers for the draft rights of Tony Bradley.
The Los Angeles Lakers were in the betting business when it came to the 2017 NBA Draft. After making picks in the draft lottery for several years, the Lakers came away with players that had significant potential like Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball and Julius Randle.
But in building with bets, teams also need to add role players that can fill in the gaps. One player from the 2017 NBA Draft representative of role player skills was Josh Hart. An NCAA champion with Villanova University in 2006, Hart was accomplished. He won Big East Player of the Year in 2007 after averaging 18.7 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.9 APG and 1.6 SPG in his senior year.
Hart wasn’t a star, but he could affect the game in multiple ways, and most importantly, he was a winner. That put him on the Lakers’ radar.
The Utah Jazz had eyes on a long-term backup center for the future in Tony Bradley. A raw prospect, Bradley spent one year at the University of North Carolina, producing 7.1 PPG and 5.1 RPG in 14.6 MPG for the Tar Heels.
How it all worked out was the Lakers selected Bradley 28th in the draft, and traded his draft rights to the Jazz for the draft rights to Hart, who was picked 30th. The price of moving up two spots for Utah was sending the 42nd pick in the same draft to the Lakers.
That pick was used on center Thomas Bryant from Indiana University. A two-time third-team All-Big Ten selection, Bryant was able to score in the paint. He also could space the floor as a shooter from outside (38.3% from three). In his sophomore season, Bryant averaged 12.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG and 1.5 BPG.
Hart played in two games during Summer League, averaging 10.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 0.5 APG. Bryant appeared in eight Summer League games, recording 13.4 MPG, 5.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG and 0.6 BPG. The Lakers won the Summer League championship in 2017.
The 2017-18 Lakers were filled with youthful talent across the roster. In addition to drafting Hart and Bryant, the club also had rookies Ball and Kyle Kuzma on the roster. The Lakers got off to a solid start, going 5-5 through the first 10 games. However, Los Angeles dropped 22 of its next 28 games to fall to 11-27.
The second half would feature several of the young players like Randle stepping up. The Lakers went 24-20 over the final 44 games to finish 35-47. Los Angeles missed the playoffs, but there were signs of a franchise rebound as it was the team’s best record in five years.
Hart was a significant factor in Los Angeles’ turnaround. After the All-Star break, he registered 15.3 PPG on 47.2% from the field and 6.8 RPG in 11 contests. He was a plus-4.9 points per 100 possessions in those 370 minutes per NBA Stats. Overall, Hart appeared in 63 games (23 starts) and tallied 7.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.3 APG and 0.7 SPG in 23.2 MPG. He also played two games in the G League with the South Bay Lakers, recording 18.0 PPG and 5.5 RPG.
Bryant played just 15 games in his rookie season with the Lakers, producing 1.5 PPG and 1.1 RPG in 4.8 MPG. The big man played most of his rookie year in the G League with South Bay, posting 19.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG and 1.5 BPG in 37 contests. He was named to the All-NBA G League First Team.
The 2018 offseason was a momentous occasion for the Lakers. The club signed forward LeBron James to a four-year, $153.3 million contract. Looking to build a quality team around the superstar, the Lakers added veterans Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee and Michael Beasley.
Los Angeles lost former lottery pick Julius Randle in free agency through the process to sign James. But the young nucleus of Ingram, Ball, Kuzma and Hart remained. Bryant was waived by the Lakers after the 2017-18 season as the team looked to clear room to sign a max contract James. Bryant was claimed off waivers by the Washington Wizards.
Hart continued on his way with the Lakers, playing with the team for Summer League. The wing excelled in his second Summer go-around with the Lakers, managing 20.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG and 2.3 APG in nine games. He won Summer League MVP in Las Vegas after dominating with 24.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 1.5 SPG.
The Lakers had a decent start in James’ first season with the team going 18-11 in the first 29 games. A groin injury to James and chemistry issues created by trade rumors involving New Orleans Pelicans All-Star Anthony Davis disrupted the momentum. Los Angeles went 19-34 over the final 53 games to finish 37-45 for the second consecutive season.
Hart missed the final 11 games of the season after playing through right knee pain for several weeks. He ultimately had an ultrasonic debridement procedure on the patella tendon in his right knee that ended his season prematurely.
Overall, Hart played in 67 games in his sophomore season and took a slight step back in production. The wing managed 7.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.0 SPG and 0.6 BPG in 25.6 MPG.
Hart’s season can be broken down into two segments. Before January 1st, 2019, he was a vital contributor but after the turn of the new year, Hart’s game took a nosedive. His knee issue could’ve been part of the reason for the struggles.
In the 2019 offseason, the Lakers made significant changes. Magic Johnson resigned as president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka assumed the lead on basketball decisions. Head coach Luke Walton and the team mutually parted ways and the Lakers hired head coach Frank Vogel as his replacement.
Most importantly, the Lakers were finally were able to snag their second star to pair with James, acquiring Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans after trade talks that ran almost half a year.
To get Davis, the Lakers sent Hart, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, cash considerations, the draft rights to fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft De’Andre Hunter, a 2022 first round draft pick, a 2023 first round draft pick and a 2024 first round draft pick to the Pelicans. Los Angeles also traded Isaac Bonga, Jemerrio Jones, Moritz Wagner and a 2022 second round draft pick to the Washington Wizards to clear up more cap space.
Hart’s two-year run in Los Angeles ended with a stat line of 7.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.3 APG and 0.9 SPG. The wing shot 44% from the field, 36% from the three-point line and 70% from the free-throw line in 130 games.
After the draft and trade, Tony Bradley joined Utah’s Summer League entries in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. In eight total games, Bradley averaged 9.6 PPG on 50.7% from the field, 5.6 RPG and 1.1 BPG in 21.3 MPG.
Bradley was on a Jazz team that was in transition. All-Star Gordon Hayward departed in 2017 free agency, signing with the Boston Celtics. Starting point guard George Hill also left, signing with the Sacramento Kings.
After adding shooting guard Donovan Mitchell in the draft and trading for Ricky Rubio, there were natural questions about how Utah would stack up in a competitive Western Conference. The team still had star defender Rudy Gobert at center but where would the offense come from?
The Jazz got off to a solid 5-3 start during the 2017-18 season, but quickly faltered. The club dropped seven of its next eight games to fall to 6-10. After a 7-1 stretch brought Utah up to 13-11, the team would go 6-17 over the next 23 games to fall to 19-28. However, Utah dominated the league in the final 35 games, going 29-6 to finish fifth in the West with a 48-34 record.
Bradley spent most of his time on the bench and in the G League with the Salt Lake City Stars in his rookie year. While fellow Jazz rookie Mitchell evolved into the team’s top scorer, Bradley appeared in just nine games with Utah, amassing 0.9 PPG and 1.2 RPG in 3.2 MPG. He made 24 appearances with Salt Lake City, compiling 15.4 PPG on 58.1% FG shooting, 10.0 RPG and 1.3 BPG in 29.6 MPG.
In the first round of the 2018 postseason, the Jazz faced the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oklahoma City’s Paul George poured in 36 points with eight three-pointers and Russell Westbrook had 29 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists as Oklahoma City took the first game 116-108.
The second game saw Mitchell score 13 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter as Utah won 102-95 and evened the series 1-1. In Game Two, the Jazz dominated the middle quarters, outscoring Oklahoma City 67-45. Rubio had a career night with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as Utah won 115-102.
The Jazz benefitted from a 20-3 run through the second and third quarters. Mitchell led the way with 33 points and seven rebounds as Utah cruised to a 113-96 win that gave them a 3-1 series advantage.
In Game Five, the Jazz looked like a favorite to win the series. Utah had a 15-point lead at halftime and led 71-46 with 8:34 remaining in the third quarter. However, Westbrook led Oklahoma City to storm back and tie the game 78-all. The Thunder point guard scored 33 of his 45 points in the second half, and George pitched in with 34 points as Oklahoma City stayed alive with a 107-99 victory.
The Thunder had a lead for much of the first half of Game Six in Utah. The Jazz took control in the second half, taking an 86-73 lead with 7:04 left in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City tried to get back in the game, but Mitchell’s 38 points were enough to push the Jazz to a 96-91 win and a 4-2 series victory. Bradley didn’t play in the first round. In the series clincher, Rubio strained his left hamstring, ending his playoff run early.
Utah went on to the second round, and matched up with the 65-17 Houston Rockets. In the first game, Rockets guard James Harden had 41 points and Houston built a 25-point lead at halftime. The Rockets held on for a 110-96 victory.
In Game Two, the Rockets bounced back. Joe Ingles scored 27 points, nailing seven treys, and Mitchell had 17 points and 11 assists, as Utah took control in the fourth quarter of a 116-108 victory. The third game saw the Rockets outscore Utah 70-40 in the first half of a 113-92 drubbing.
The Rockets were in control for much of Game Four. Guard Chris Paul led Houston with 27 points and 12 assists in a 100-87 Rockets win. Houston had a lead at halftime of Game Five, but Utah fought back while facing elimination. The Jazz took a three-point lead going into the fourth quarter. Paul took over, tallying 41 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as Houston eliminated Utah in five games with a 112-102 victory. Bradley scored two points in about two minutes of action in the second round.
In the 2018 offseason, Utah drafted Duke guard Grayson Allen in the first round. The club also brought back Derrick Favors and Dante Exum on new deals.
Ahead of his second season, Bradley participated in Utah’s 2018 Summer League appearances in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. The big man was impressive, managing 15.2 PPG on 62% from the field, 8.8 RPG and 1.2 BPG in five games.
The Jazz had a slow start for the 2018-19 season. The team was 8-11 after 19 games and just 20-21 at the halfway mark of the season. The Jazz ended up winning 12 of the next 15 games and went 30-11 in the final 41 games to win 50 games, to earn fifth place in the West.
Bradley played just three games with Utah in his second year, registering 5.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 0.7 SPG and 0.7 BPG in 12.0 MPG. Once again, he played more in the G League with Salt Lake City. The big man saw action in 20 G League games, registering 13.4 PPG on 58.7% from the field, 7.0 RPG, 1.2 APG and 0.9 BPG in 25.5 MPG.
The Jazz faced the fourth seed Houston Rockets in the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The series opener was heavily talked about as Utah opted to go to the strategy of taking away the dominant left hand of Rockets star James Harden. The move would limit the star from getting to his patented stepback shot or driving with his left hand.
However, it allowed Harden an open runway to drive the ball. It collapsed the defense leading to many passing opportunities for the Rockets guard. Harden had 29 points and 10 assists as Houston routed Utah 122-90 in Game One.
In Game Two, Harden had 32 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Houston led by 26 points at halftime and comfortably won 118-98. Harden was 3-for-20 in Game Three in Utah, but the Rockets made just enough defensive plays to win 104-101.
Game Four saw Mitchell score 19 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter as the Jazz pulled away for a 107-91 victory. With the series 3-1, the Rockets held on for a close 100-93 victory in Game Five to eliminate the Jazz. Bradley did not play in the playoffs for the Jazz.
Utah significantly reshaped its roster in the summer of 2019. First, the team traded rotation players Jae Crowder, Grayson Allen and Kyle Korver, and draft compensation to the Memphis Grizzlies for point guard Mike Conley. The team also dealt big man Derrick Favors to the New Orleans Pelicans for two second round picks. Utah signed forward Bojan Bogdanovic in free agency, while allowing Rubio to walk.
Bradley was the rare NBA player to make an appearance in Summer League before his third year. The seven-footer played in five games (three in Las Vegas and two in Salt Lake City) and compiled 19.8 PPG on 57.4% from the field, 13.0 RPG and 1.6 BPG in 26.0 MPG.
The new look Jazz team was geared more towards offense. Utah once again one of the top teams in the NBA, beginning the 2019-20 season 8-3. The Jazz went 5-8 in the next 13 to fall to 13-11, however the club went on a 19-2 stretch from the middle of December to the end of January that brought it to 32-13.
The Jazz were inconsistent through March when the NBA season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utah was at the center of the NBA’s story around the pandemic. Gobert was the first player to test positive for COVID-19, postponing a game and the entire NBA season. Fourth in the West at the time of the postponement, Utah had a 41-23 record.
The NBA season resumed in July of 2020 with the NBA Bubble in Orlando, Florida. A select group of teams finished up the regular season and playoffs. The Jazz went 3-5 over a span of eight games to finish out the regular season 44-28.
The third season was an opportunity to play for Bradley, after the departures of Favors and other big man Ekpe Udoh. An injury to veteran Ed Davis also opened up backup minutes for Bradley. He ended his third season in Utah with a larger role. The big man recorded 4.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 0.6 BPG in 58 appearances and 11.4 MPG.
In the first game of the first round matchup, Mitchell dominated with 57 points and also scored 26 of Utah’s final 32 points in the final 11 minutes and 29 seconds of the game. Nuggets duo Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić teamed up to score 65 points and had 30 of Denver’s final 37 points as the Nuggets won the series opener 135-125. In Game Two, Utah was in full control and led by as much as 31 points in a 124-105 win.
The third game was a similar result as Utah—which was buoyed by the return of Conley—won by 37 points. After inserting Jerami Grant and Monte Morris into the starting lineup, Denver played better in Game Four. Mitchell (51 points) and Murray (50 points) dueled in a memorable game that saw Utah take a 3-1 series lead with a 129-127 win.
With a chance to take the series, Utah led by as much as 12 with 3:35 left in the third quarter of Game Five, but the Nuggets went on a 45-23 run over the last 15-plus minutes to win 117-107. Murray put up another 50-point performance in Game Six as Denver was victorious 119-107 and took the series to a final game.
A defensive struggle ensued in the series finale. The Nuggets took an 80-78 lead after Jokić hit a hook with 27 seconds left. Mitchell turned the ball over on the other end with eight seconds left. Nuggets forward Torrey Craig missed a layup for Denver and finally, Mike Conley failed to knock in a three at the buzzer. It would’ve won the game and the series, but it wasn’t meant to be and Denver eliminated Utah 4-3.
Bradley saw his first real playoff minutes behind Rudy Gobert in the series, but his minutes dwindled as the series progressed. After playing four minutes and 47 seconds in Game Six, Bradley did not play in the series finale. Overall, the big man averaged 1.5 PPG and 3.8 RPG in 8.1 MPG in the series.
In the 2020 offseason, the Jazz dealt Bradley and the draft rights of second round pick Saben Lee to the Detroit Pistons for cash considerations. Bradley ended his three-year run in Utah with a stat line of 4.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 0.5 BPG. The center shot 63% from the field and 66% from the free-throw line in that time.
Tony Bradley on what the Jazz see in him (via Deseret News):
“They see a bright future in me. They do a good job developing players, so I’m really excited.”
On the team’s future (via Deseret News):
“They had a great run (before) losing to the Warriors [in 2017 second round]. ... It’s definitely a team that's building with the pieces they have. ... It’s going to be a good, good season next year. I’m happy to be here.”
On his skill set (via The Salt Lake Tribune):
“I can handle the ball a little bit, my footwork is better than what a lot of people expected, I use my length really well rebounding and stuff like that. It’s just a lot of things people just don't know, and I'm trying to show and improve.”
Josh Hart on how the Lakers now have defenders that can guard multiple positions after the Lakers drafted him, Kuzma and Bryant (via The Orange County Register):
“All of us can guard several different positions. That’s something you can use to your advantage when you have guards or wings that can switch on big men in the post, or (Bryant) switching to smaller guards on the perimeter. When you have that versatility, defensively it gives you another step up.”
Thomas Bryant on joining the Lakers (via South Bend Tribune):
“It feels great just to be a part of a historic organization like the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s like a dream come true. You don’t want to take that for granted at all.”
Utah Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey on what the team looks in draftees (via Deseret News):
“It’s a talent evaluation first. It’s a fit. You guys know how we feel about character here as well. They fit the Jazz DNA profile.”
Jazz vice president of player personnel Walt Perrin on Tony Bradley (via Deseret News):
“Tony showcased some things we hadn’t seen at North Carolina. It was a good workout. There are some things at 19 he’s got to get a lot better at, but he can have a long career in the NBA.”
Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson on the skills of Hart, Bryant and Kyle Kuzma (via The Orange County Register):
“We were looking for shooting. We were looking for toughness. We were looking for high basketball IQ. When you look at all three of them, you can check off all the boxes.”
Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka on Josh Hart (via Lakers introductory press conference):
“Josh was a player that immediately we identified early in the process as someone who just stood for the core qualities [the Lakers stand for].”
On his understanding of the game:
“He came in here for his draft workout and he was just always in the right place on the court for every defensive drill... So just a grasp and an understanding for the game that stood out from the pack.”
On Thomas Bryant (via Democrat & Chronicle):
“I think he’ll be able to help us defensively as a rim protector and then opening the floor as a shooter. His length around the rim is disruptive. When he steps out to the top of the key you’ve got to guard him because he’s got a beautiful 3-point shot.”
On Bryant’s shooting ability (via South Bend Tribune):
“The release, the follow through he has on his shot, the spin on the ball; he has a chance to be an elite shooting five if he stays committed to working hard.”
Image Credit:
Thomas Bryant and Josh Hart via Getty Images/Andrew D. Bernstein
Tony Bradley via Deseret News/Jeffrey D. Allred
