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Could former Heat center Thomas Bryant be heading overseas? (Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nCould former Heat center Thomas Bryant be heading overseas? (Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Earlier this offseason, rumors surfaced that Denver Nuggets backup center Jonas Valanciunas could be heading overseas to Panathinaikos, playing closer to his home country in Lithuania.<\/p>\n
After those talks dissolved<\/a>, another name surfaced earlier this week: Former Miami Heat backup center Thomas Bryant, who they traded to the Indiana Pacers in December for a second-round pick swap.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Has Panathinaikos found a replacement for Jonas Valanciunas? \ud83d\udfe2<\/p>\n According to our exclusive sources, Thomas Bryant is the top candidate to strengthen Panathinaikos at the center position. The two sides are in advanced negotiations, and if everything goes according to\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/AqCuuk4dIq<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 TeleSport.rs (@TelesportRS) July 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Former Heat center Thomas Bryant could join one of the best teams in Europe:<\/p>\n Panathinaikos is home to former Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn, who\u2019s carved out quite the career in Europe. They are widely regarded as one of the best teams in Europe, winning seven EuroLeague titles since 1994-95, including one in 2023-24, plus six Greek League titles over the last eight seasons.<\/p>\n Other former NBA veterans on Panathinaikos\u2019 roster is former Heat center Omer Yurtseven, Cedi Osman and Juanco Hernangomez.<\/p>\n In one-and-a-half seasons with the Heat, Bryant averaged 5.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game. He was viewed as a good locker room presence and provided energy when he was on the floor \u2014 but he was a net-negative.<\/p>\n Miami desperately needs a backup center with their last remaining roster spot. Though the free agent market for centers is incredibly dry, which includes Bryant, Richaun Holmes, Al Horford and Chris Boucher, among others.<\/p>\n If the soon-to-be 28-year-old can get legitimate reps and playing time overseas, that could be beneficial if he wants to continue his NBA career. In 333 career games, Bryant has averaged 8.9 points and 5.1 rebounds on 58.2 percent shooting and 65.2 percent true shooting. <\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n To check out our other content, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter\/X\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Subscribe to our YouTube channel\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n \t\t\t