Pacers Acquiring Heat’s Thomas Bryant Fills Need, Makes Good Court Sense

December 14, 2024

The Pacers are making a move to address their thin center rotation, acquiring former Indiana University star Thomas Bryant from the Heat for a second-round pick swap, sources confirmed to Dustin Dopirak of the Indy Star.

The deal, which will officially go down on Sunday when Bryant becomes eligible to be traded, was first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Bryant, who played a pivotal role in Indiana’s 2016-17 Sweet 16 run, heads to the Pacers after struggling to find a consistent role in Miami this season. The Heat are clearing cap space with the move, dropping about $3.7 million below the second luxury tax apron.

For Indiana, the addition of Bryant provides much-needed depth at center after the Pacers lost both James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson to Achilles tendon tears early in the season.

With a roster spot now open after Moses Brown was waived earlier this week, Bryant, who is on a one-year, $2.087 million deal, is a perfect fit under the Pacers’ $2.2 million disabled player exception for Jackson.

The 6-foot-9 big man, who earned an NBA championship ring with the Nuggets in 2023, will be stepping into a team that’s been forced to play small-ball with Obi Toppin and others stepping up behind Myles Turner.

While Bryant has averaged just 4.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in 10 appearances for the Heat this season, the Pacers are hoping he can rediscover his form from his days with the Wizards.

In his best stretch, Bryant averaged 11.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game over four seasons in Washington. A former second-round pick of the Jazz in 2017, Bryant’s versatile scoring and rebounding ability should provide a valuable presence behind Turner, even if his minutes remain limited.

The Pacers have been in search of reliable help at the five all season, and Bryant, though inconsistent, has the potential to bring stability to a position that’s been a problem for Indiana.

With the team now looking to stay under the luxury tax and clear up some cap room, this trade may not be a game-changer, but it’s a step toward shoring up a lineup that’s already seen its share of adversity.