Pacers Key Free Agent Nearing Deal With Surprise Team

Pacers’ Key Free Agent Close to Deal with Unexpected Team

A significant free agent from the Indiana Pacers is on the verge of finalizing a contract with an unexpected team.

Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pacers are already missing two key starters from their NBA Finals appearance.

Point guard Tyrese Haliburton, a two-time All-NBA Third Team honoree, suffered a torn Achilles tendon early in the Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which ultimately led to a Game 7 loss. The 6-foot-5 Iowa State product has been ruled out for the entire 2025-26 season.

Without Haliburton, starting center Myles Turner, known for his 3-and-D play, decided to leave Indiana after 10 seasons. He signed a four-year, $108.9 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

In response, the Pacers are looking to replace Turner with a mix of backup centers.

However, one of their free-agent big men appears to be on his way out.

Thomas Bryant, a floor-spacing center, is reportedly considering a deal with Panathinaikos, a prominent Greek EuroLeague team, according to Kevin Martorano of Sportando.

The 6-foot-10 Bryant, while not known for his rim protection, had some notable moments in the playoffs, including a standout third quarter in a Game 6 victory over the New York Knicks during the Eastern Conference Finals.

At 27 years old, Bryant is expected to sign a contract with Panathinaikos worth around $3 million per year, as reported by TeleSport.rs.

Bryant, a journeyman in the NBA, has played for five different teams since 2017-18: the Los Angeles Lakers (twice), Washington Wizards, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, and most recently, the Pacers. He was part of the 2023 Denver Nuggets championship team, although mainly a bench player.

The Pacers acquired Bryant earlier in the season after their usual backups, Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman, both suffered season-ending Achilles injuries. Since then, Indiana has re-signed both Jackson and Wiseman and traded for Jay Huff.

Now, this trio is expected to compete for minutes at center, filling in for Turner in a committee approach.

In 56 games with Indiana last season, Bryant averaged 6.9 points on .515/.321/.830 shooting splits, 3.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.5 blocks, and 0.5 steals per game. He has a career 3-point shooting percentage of 34.6% on 1.5 attempts per game, which is impressive for a center playing just 17.7 minutes per contest.