Despite still being under contract with the Indiana Pacers, Ethan Thompson is looking to sign a deal with the Serbian team Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. Thompson is on a two-way deal right now with Indiana, but will seemingly be seeking his release to go overseas.
While he is not a difference-maker, losing Thompson still hurts largely because the Pacers clearly value him. They were forced to choose between him and Taelon Peter and decided to let Peter go. The latter signed with the San Antonio Spurs, and now Indiana seems to be losing both.
The silver lining, however, is that the Pacers have now opened up a two-way spot by default. That deal will almost certainly go to Braden Smith. The Purdue point guard had the option to leave to go back to his alma mater this summer, but will now spend his season with the Noblesville Boom.
This is still a weird moment, though. It seems incredibly abnormal for a player clearly held in some regard to elect to end their career in the States so abruptly.
Players who go to Europe don't usually find their way back to the league. Despite what Mario Herzonja and Trey Lyles have done this offseason, it's hard to be worthy of the attention required for NBA teams to go see you.
What Ethan Thompson has done is functionally end his NBA career. That seems shortsighted and sad for anyone, let alone a 27-year-old.
What Indiana is losing
Ethan Thompson was by no means a world beater. He was not going to factor into the Pacers' already overfilled rotation at all, even if his deal suggested otherwise.
Thompson averaged 7.0 points per game in 32 games last year. Arguably one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Pacers' gap year, this was Thompson's first real NBA opportunity. He had previously played for the G-League affiliates for the Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, and Miami Heat.
Despite that breakout season, Thompson must see his opportunity in Indiana drying up, preferring to join a squad with Olympic standout Carlik Jones, former Cleveland Cavalier swingman Lamar Stevens, and – this should be a throwback for everyone involved – former top pick Jabari Parker.
Instead of languishing in the G-League, Thompson must be unwilling to wait around for another opportunity to see real NBA action. After five years fighting for a chance and eventually earning one, he will move on as many have.
The Pacers clearly valued Thompson highly, refusing to cut him to return Jalen Slawson, but have now seen him walk out of their plans.
They won't really need to find a one-to-one replacement for Thompson, as Slawson and fellow two-way Kobe Brown can likely all be relied on as "break glass in case of emergency" options behind the depth pieces of Aaron Nesmith, Kelly Oubre Jr., Jarace Walker, and Ben Shephard.
This is not an impactful move, but it is certainly a sad moment.
Best of luck to Ethan Thompson on the new beginning in Serbia.
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