Trade rumors have surrounded the Miami Heat in recent weeks with players like Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier being linked with moves away. But it is Thomas Bryant who will be heading out of South Beach.
According to Shams Charania on ESPN, the Heat have agreed on a trade to send Bryant to the Indiana Pacers. In return, Miami will get a swap of a future second-round pick. He becomes trade-eligible on Sunday.
The Pacers were in urgent need of a center after injuries to Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman. Why have the Heat decided to part ways with Bryant though?
Well, there might be a couple of reasons behind the decision. Firstly, it will help the Heat stay below the second luxury tax apron. As Bobby Marks wrote on X:
Secondly, one has to think that this has something to do with the developmental plans for Kel’el Ware. Bryant was averaging 11.5 minutes and the rookie could do with that playing time.
Ware has actually shined in the G League recently. In two games, he has averaged 18.5 points, 10 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 29.6 minutes minutes for the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
That might have been enough to convince the Heat coaching team that Ware is ready for a bigger role in their rotation. Let’s see if Bryant’s exit leads to the rookie getting more playing time moving forward.
Another player who might be in line for more minutes following Bryant’s exit is Kevin Love, who has primarily been the backup to Bam Adebayo this season.
