The Pacers are mulling the idea of buying out the contract of center Tristan Thompson, according to James Boyd of the Indianapolis Star. 
Thompson was acquired as part of a trade with the Kings on Tuesday, along with guards Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield. Indiana sent power forward Domantas Sabonis, and wings Justin Holiday and Jeremy Lamb to Sacramento in the deal.
Boyd confirmed what we relayed earlier via ESPN in reporting that the Pacers do intend to hang on to Hield.
Thompson is on an expiring $9.7 million contract. While the Pacers could buy out the remainder of the deal, Boyd noted that they could end up keeping him to “bolster” the frontcourt.
Thompson, 30, is 6-foot-9 and was in his first season with the Kings following an offseason trade with the Hawks, who acquired him from the Celtics.
But he was used just sparingly in Sacramento, appearing in 30 games and averaging 6.2 points and a career-low 5.4 rebounds.
Thompson spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Cavaliers, making four straight trips to the Finals and winning a championship alongside LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in 2016.
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