Dec. 15, 2024 12:33 PM EST

Heat Trade Thomas Bryant To Pacers For Swap Of 2Nd-Round Picks In 2031

By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
Los Angeles Lakers forward Maxwell Lewis (20) and center Christian Koloko defend Miami Heat center Thomas Bryant during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) Marta Lavandier, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles Lakers forward Maxwell Lewis (20) and center Christian Koloko defend Miami Heat center Thomas Bryant during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

The Miami Heat traded Thomas Bryant to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for the right to swap second-round picks in 2031, the teams announced Sunday.

The trade terms were agreed to on Friday. League rules prevented the trade from becoming official until Sunday.

The Heat would get the more favorable second-round selection in that draft. Bryant joined the Pacers in time for their Sunday game against New Orleans.

Bryant averaged 4.1 points in 10 games off the bench for Miami this season. Indiana becomes his fifth team, after pre-Miami stints with the Washington Wizards, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets.

He fills a need at backup center for Indiana, which was seeking depth behind Myles Turner. The Heat open up a roster spot and free up some of the logjam at the post position, with Nikola Jovic and rookie Kel'el Ware among those getting backup minutes behind Bam Adebayo.

Bryant is earning $2.1 million this season.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Topics

People in the Story