Free agent Pacers reserve center Thomas Bryant is nearing a new deal to leave the NBA and sign with the Greek club Panathinaikos, per a report from TeleSport (Twitter link; hat tip to Kevin Martorano of Sportando).
The 6’10” University of Indiana alum was traded from the Heat to the Pacers last season after a pair of Indiana big men, James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson, both went down early with Achilles tears. Across 56 healthy games with the Pacers, Bryant averaged 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.5 blocks, and 0.5 steals in 15.1 minutes per night.
Bryant was employed spottily in head coach Rick Carlisle‘s rotation throughout Indiana’s run to the NBA Finals. In 20 games, he averaged 2.6 PPG and 1.4 RPG with a shooting line of .485/.500/.786 in 8.4 MPG.
The 27-year-old big man has suited up for five teams across his eight NBA seasons. If he ends up finalizing a deal with Panathinaikos – or another European club – it would be the first time he has played professionally overseas.
Panathinaikos has been hoping to bring in an NBA-caliber center throughout the summer, as Martorano observes. Talks fell apart with center Jonas Valanciunas when it became apparent that Denver didn’t want to release its newly acquired backup big man.
Must be a pretty good deal. I thought he played well enough to get another vet minimum
Nobody refers to his college as the “University of Indiana.” It is always Indiana University or by the initials IU.
So no NBA team wants him? Crying cheap owners have made free agency a joke!