Former Lakers Big Man Sent to East Contender in Massive Trade

According to a report from Shams Charania of ESPN, the Indiana Pacers have acquired former Los Angeles Lakers center Thomas Bryant from the Miami Heat.

"The Miami Heat have agreed on a trade to send center Thomas Bryant to the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN," Charania said. "The Pacers will send a swap of a future second-round pick to the Heat for Bryant, who is trade-eligible on Sunday."

The Miami Heat have agreed on a trade to send center Thomas Bryant to the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN. The Pacers will send a swap of a future second-round pick to the Heat for Bryant, who is trade-eligible on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/7mFjeICgZW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 13, 2024

Bryant began his basketball career at Indiana University where he was a Hoosier for two years. In that time, he was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team and was third-team All-Big Ten.

Bryant then declared for the 2017 NBA Draft and was selected by the Utah Jazz in the second round with the 42nd overall pick.

Almost immediately, Bryant was traded to the Lakers for Tony Bradley. Bryant was soon sent to the South Bay Lakers, Los Angeles' G League affiliate, where he was named to the All-NBA G League First Team.

In 2018, Bryant was claimed off of waivers by the Washington Wizards, where he would play until 2022. He then returned to the Lakers on a 1-year deal before being traded to the Denver Nuggets in a four-team trade.

Despite only playing 19 total games with the Nuggets, Bryant was part of the 2023 NBA Championship team.

Since then, Bryant has remained in Miami. Across his eight year NBA career, Bryant has averaged 9.3 points, 5.4 total rebounds, one assists, and 0.7 blocks per game across 277 games.

This marks a huge move for Indiana, especially since they have been desperately needing more depth underneath the rim.

Currently, Indiana's big men include center Myles Turner and power forward Pascal Siakam. This season, Turner is averaging 15.3 points, 7.1 total rebound, two blocks, 1.6 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. Meanwhile, Siakam has been averaging 19.7 points, 6.6 total rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 0.9 steals per game.

While Turner and Siakam are great, there isn't really any roster depth behind them. James Wiseman is out for the season and Isaiah Jackson has only played in five games this season.

Power forward Obi Toppin has been decent, but he doesn't provide the same level of interior defense as Turner.

Bryant will work as a solid backup to Turner and help the Pacers make the playoffs once again after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season.

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