Wizards that Didn’t Live up to their 2021-22 Salaries

Wizards that Didn’t Live up to their Salary: Thomas Bryant

• Thomas Bryant – $8,666,667

Bryant remains a promising young player that has a bright future as a role player in the NBA. The Wizards did him no favors this season with their constantly changing center rotation and questionable lineup choices throughout the year.

Still, Bryant failed to capitalize on the chances he was given. With a salary north of $8 million for the year, Bryant didn’t do enough to prove worthy of that financial commitment.

He appeared in 27 total contests during the season, nine of which came in the starting lineup. As a starter and a reserve, Bryant consistently failed to make an impact. He put up the worst numbers of his Wizards career across the board in what could wind up being the final year he plays for the franchise.

While his salary was far from massive in today’s NBA, it still ranked high on the list of Wizards cap commitments this past season. While veterans like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma made a little bit more than Bryant this past year, they were light years ahead of him in on-court production.

The big man was unable to carve out a role despite reasonable opportunities throughout the season. The promising shooting touch he had displayed for years prior was nowhere to be found as he shot just 28.6 percent from behind the arc.

Bryant is talented and has the body and skills to last a long time in the NBA. For over $8 million, though, he will need to put those tools together and make himself impactful night in and night out. He may not return to the Wizards next season following this year’s performance, and that might be the best thing for both sides moving forward.