NBA News: Thomas Bryant reportedly traded from Heat to Pacers; Traded draft picks | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors
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NBA News: Thomas Bryant reportedly traded from Heat to Pacers; Traded draft picks | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

MIAMI, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 13: Thomas Bryant #31 of the Miami Heat watches against the New Orleans Pelicans during a preseason game at the Kaseya Center on October 13, 2024 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Story/Getty Images)

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The Indiana Pacers will acquire center Thomas Bryant in an upcoming trade with the Miami Heat, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday.

The deal will include a second-round pick swap, according to Charania.

Bryant is playing on a one-year, $2 million contract and will be eligible for a trade on Sunday.

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania

The Miami Heat have agreed to a trade to send center Thomas Bryant to the Indiana Pacers, sources tell ESPN. The Pacers will trade a future second-round pick to the Heat for Bryant, who is trade-eligible on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/7mFjeICgZW

Bryant has appeared in 10 games so far this season, averaging 4.1 points in 11.5 minutes per night while serving as the backup to Heat center Bam Adebayo.

The trade will help the Heat stay under the second luxury tax limit.

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the trade will save the Heat $4.7 million in taxes, putting them $3.7 million below the second frontcourt. The Heat also received a $2.1 million trade exception by trading Bryant, per Mark.

The deal stipulates that the Heat only have 13 players on the roster. Miami must return to the 14-man minimum within two weeks.

Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42

Roster/Financial Impact in Miami
Tax savings: $4.7 million
Below the 2nd apron: $3.7 million
Players on standard contracts: 13
The Heat have two weeks to sign a 14th player.
They will create a $2.1 million trade exception

According to Marks, the Pacers are now just under the luxury tax with the deal.

The Pacers have 15 players on the roster and could do another deal to pay out some salary.

Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42

Financial/Roster Impact in Indiana
Thomas Bryant has an expiring contract worth $2 million.
Under tax: $126,526
Squad: 15 players with standard contracts

Kevin Love has served as Adebayo’s primary backup since the Heat acquired him in a midseason trade with the Cleveland Guardians last season.

The addition of Kel’el Ware in the 2024 NBA Draft added another option for Love and made Bryant a movable option for a team that needed to shed some salary.

Bryant could now get more playing opportunities in Indiana, where the Pacers were looking for a backup to play behind Myles Turner since losing Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman to Achilles tendon injuries.

Obi Toppin backed Turner in Jackson and Wiseman’s place. The addition of Bryant could allow Toppin to return to his true position as a forward.

The Pacers play the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night, but will have to wait at least until Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans to potentially add Bryant to the lineup.

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