Former Indiana center Thomas Bryant opts out of contract with Miami, becomes free agent

  • Jul 1, 2024 8:22 am in

Former Indiana center Thomas Bryant has decided to opt for NBA free agency.

Bryant had a player option with Miami next season for $2.8 million but declined it to become a free agent.

Last offseason, the 26-year-old agreed to a two-year contract with the Heat for $5.37 million after winning an NBA championship with Denver.

His role with the Heat, however, was minimal. The 6-foot-10 Bryant played in just 38 regular-season games in Miami and two playoff games. In the regular season, he made four starts and averaged 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game.

Miami drafted Indiana center Kel’el Ware with the No. 15 pick in this year’s NBA draft on Wednesday night.

Over his seven-year NBA career, Bryant holds averages of 9.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and one assist in 267 games. He’s played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington, Denver and Miami.

The No. 42 pick in the 2017 NBA draft, Bryant has earned $31.3 million in his professional career.

A 2015 McDonald’s All-American, Bryant played in 69 career games at Indiana under Tom Crean. As a freshman, he helped lead the Hoosiers to an outright 2016 Big Ten championship.

He started every game he played at Indiana and averaged 12.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks.

NBA free agency officially began at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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