For nearly the last year (mostly since trading for Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors), the Indiana Pacers have made very few notable roster moves. In the offseason, besides signing James Wiseman and drafting Johnny Furphy, the Pacers did not make any significant external additions. This held true for most of the regular season up to this point as well. However, the biggest move they have made in nearly a year, though not a blockbuster by any means, is already paying off for the Pacers.
In December, the Pacers traded for big man Thomas Bryant from the Miami Heat. As an Indiana Hoosier, many Pacers fans may have already been familiar with Bryant. While nobody thought he would take Myles Turner's spot in the starting lineup, many fans were excited about what Bryant brought to the table. So far, he is living up to the expectations and then some, even getting comparisons to a key role player from a recent NBA Finals team.
Thomas Bryant's arrival draws comparisons to Daniel Gafford joining the Dallas Mavericks
Last year, the Dallas Mavericks, who went on to make the NBA Finals for the first time in over a decade, acquired big man Daniel Gafford from the Washington Wizards. Gafford was a very solid player in Washington, but the team was in a rebuilding phase and in no position to make the playoffs. With Dallas, however, Gafford was able to contribute to winning basketball, which he did.
Gafford was far from the best player on last year's Mavericks team, but there is no doubt he played a critical role in the team's Finals run. While maybe not to the same extent, trading for Bryant could have an impact on the Pacers similar to what Gafford brought to Dallas.
Recently, The Ringer's Chris Vernon and David Jacoby (at around the 11:17 mark) spoke about Bryant's presence in Indiana and compared his trade to Gafford's from last year.
"[The Pacers] made a low-key super valuable move that no one in the free world talk about which is adding Thomas Bryant, who has been really good for them," Vernon said.
"Worth mentioning, Thomas Bryant," Jacoby said. "It reminds me sort of like Daniel Gafford from last year, where it's like a player who's good, who contributes, who's been on bad teams."
Bryant has appeared in 15 games for the Pacers and is gradually assuming a larger role in the rotation. So far, the 27-year-old has been fantastic off the bench and provides a spark whenever he steps on the court. For a team like the Pacers, who struggled with center depth after season-ending injuries to Isaiah Jackson and Wiseman, Bryant is exactly what they needed.
Only time will tell what Bryant's Pacers career will look like. But as it stands, it would not be a surprise if he is a contributor in the long run as they aim to make it to the NBA Finals, much like Gafford and the Mavericks did last year.
Check out the video below to watch the full conversation between Vernon and Jacoby: