Miami's frontcourt is thin as Bam Adebayo leans into a four role to curb wear and tear. Kel'el Ware and Vlad Goldin show promise behind him, with Nikola Jovic and Keshad Johnson slotted as fours rather than fives. Precious Achiuwa and Thomas Bryant are being considered as veteran depth, while cap constraints loom and a Rozier buyout could surface as a path to sign one of them—but only if the Heat clear the luxury tax threshold by Jan. 10.

Josh Hart's Lakers jersey history is a thread through the franchise's most formidable eras. Hart, Villanova standout, was part of the Lakers’ shuffle between Minneapolis roots and modern Purple and Gold stature, a path that led him to become a multi-faceted contributor across three NBA stops: Lakers, Pelicans, Knicks. His rise with New York underlined a modern fantasy profile: elite rebounding for a guard, defensive grit, and multi-spot scoring. The trade trajectory around Anthony Davis and the accompanying pieces (Thomas Bryant, Tony Bradley) shows how roster moves ripple fantasy upside. Hart's 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game across 77 starts last season illustrate his value as a high-floor, multi-cat asset in dynamic lineups. LeBron James’s era and Davis’s presence frame Hart’s ceiling, while his Knicks stint highlighted how the guard’s hustle and playmaking anchor team success. The Lakers’ lineage—from the Minneapolis days through Kobe and beyond—gives Hart a legacy-long runway in fantasy discussions.

The Knicks are one roster spot from a full squad, and New York is eyeing immediate impact off the bench. Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele were added to lift the second unit, addressing a scoring drought that plagued the reserves. The frontcourt is already crowded with Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and Ariel Hukporti, leaving one backup five to anchor the year. Thomas Bryant is floated as the final depth piece, giving the Knicks security in case of injuries. The rotation could feature Towns and Robinson in a double-big look with Yabusele sliding to center or Anunoby stepping in, while Bryant provides shot-making and rim presence. Bryant’s late-game role in the Eastern Conference Finals, when he dropped 11 off the bench in Game 6 to blunt the Knicks’ push, underscored the potential value of a versatile big in these matchups. For fantasy managers, the dynamic depth suggests multiple players could contribute across points, rebounds, and threes, with Bryant and Hukporti offering upside as the season progresses, especially in lineups that experiment with spacing and size.

Thomas Bryant's journey in the NBA has seen him don the jerseys of several teams, notably the Los Angeles Lakers, where he began his career. After brief tenures with the Lakers and the Indiana Pacers, he now faces the possibility of heading overseas to play for Greek club Panathinaikos. This comes after his underwhelming performance in the previous seasons, averaging only 12.3 points with L.A. before being traded. While not a standout scorer, Bryant has managed to fulfill a reliable role with each team, showcasing his adaptability.

Panathinaikos is looking for a center to bolster their frontcourt following a failed negotiation with Jonas Valanciunas. If Bryant joins, he will be expected to enhance the team's quality significantly. His transition from the NBA to the European league could be a pivotal step in reigniting his professional career.

Thomas Bryant's future hangs in the balance as he prepares to sign with Greek basketball club Panathinaikos, following a commendable run with the Indiana Pacers this past season. Averaging 6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds across 56 games, the 27-year-old center has had a varied NBA career spanning eight seasons with five different teams. His departure marks a significant moment for the Pacers, who are looking to build on their recent success.

Panathinaikos, needing a standout center after a failed attempt to secure Jonas Valanciunas, is likely to benefit from Bryant's high-energy playing style. The EuroLeague is considered the second-best league globally, and his inside-outside scoring ability may translate well overseas. While Bryant's move could spell the end of his NBA career for now, the potential for a return remains in a year or two.