Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers have both started to discuss the same idea on X: Thomas Bryant as their starting center.
For Lakers fans, it's a bit of pessimism, feeling like DeAndre Ayton might choose a different team in free agency and leave L.A. hanging a bit.
Pacers fans have a bit more of a realistic view of their situation after Myles Turner left to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks.
There'd be cool connections to either outcome here, if one of them really came to pass.
The Rochester, N.Y. native made his start in the NBA with the Lakers after being a second-round pick in 2017.
MORE: Lakers make 'insane' decision that could jeopardize future with LeBron, Luka
He played just 15 games in that first stint in Los Angeles, then came back in 2022-23 for 41 more games (including 25 starts). Bryant was on the floor when LeBron James made the shot that broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record.
Bryant only spent the second half of the 2024-25 season with the Pacers, but his clutch outside shooting propelled them past the Knicks and into the NBA Finals.
The Hoosier connection goes deeper for Bryant, though: He played two seasons for Tom Crean at Indiana University.
MORE: Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles tear is the reason the Bucks cut Damian Lillard
Bryant has been a solid NBA player through eight seasons. He has career averages of 8.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, with 34.6% shooting from 3. He was a full-time starter for multiple seasons with the Wizards.
He'll turn 28 on July 31.
Bryant may not wind up back in Indiana or out in Los Angeles, but their fan bases both know him, and he knows them. Maybe one will wind up as the right fit.
MORE NBA NEWS:
- Lakers sign $12 million wing who shoots 42% from 3
- Warriors lose 3-time NBA champion in shocking free agency decision
- Nuggets ditch Michael Porter Jr. in huge trade for outside shooting superstar
- Bucks' 55-point legend hints at NBA comeback from retirement
- Rockets swipe $53 million star from Lakers
- Spurs dish out $41 million for 7-foot-1 center