Lakers guard Avery Bradley is expected to be courted by the Warriors, Bucks, and a handful of other contenders, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, who tweets that those clubs will try to lure Bradley away from L.A.
Although Bradley opted out of the NBA’s summer restart and wasn’t part of the Lakers’ playoff run, he was a key part of the club’s rotation for most of the season, starting 44 of his 49 games. He averaged 8.6 PPG and 2.3 RPG with a .444/.364/.833 shooting line in 24.2 minutes per contest and handled some of the toughest defensive assignments on the perimeter.
Bradley, who recently signed with a new agent, has a player option worth $5MM for 2020/21 and still could technically pick up that option. However, Dave McMenamin of ESPN wrote last night that the 29-year-old is expected to decline his option and reach free agency. If he’s anticipating interest from multiple contending teams, it makes sense that Bradley would go in that direction.
Assuming Bradley opts out, the Lakers would be able to offer a starting salary worth up to about $5.7MM using his Non-Bird rights. If they want to go any higher than that, they’d have to use some or all of their mid-level exception.
Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are also turning down player options for the Lakers this week.
He could play the Livingston role in Golden State. I like that spot for him
Totally different players and he wouldn’t even come close to filling the role Shaun Livingston had with the Warriors. Livingston ran the offense for the second unit and was counted on to put points on the board. Shaun would post up smaller guards, shoot the 12-footer in the lane, but really wasn’t much on defense. He was long so he could get in passing lanes and still mobile so we could stay in front of opposing guards but wasn’t a Lockdown Defender by any means. About the only thing he has in common with Avery Bradley is they both been in the league a few years. So Veteran Leadership?
Avery Bradley on the other hand brings muscle and toughness and dog attitude to the game. He’s not really a point guard so to speak, in running the offense. He can bring the ball up and initiate the offense but he’s definitely not like Shaun who sees over top of smaller guards and can make the great pass. Avery is a grunt with a head of steam for defense and aggression and he’s almost a Marcus Smart light. When Bradley and smart Were Young on the Celtics that’s when they were fun to watch. Remember how successful the Celtics were then with Isaiah Thomas running the show. But Avery Bradley will lock down your team’s best scorer in the backcourt and will get you hustle points. He can shoot a little bit from long-range where Livingston couldn’t do that at all. All that to say.. two totally different players, there’s no comparison whatsoever. Avery Bradley will not fill a Shaun Livingston roll with the Warriors. In fact I can’t remember when the Warriors have had that tough guard tough guy off the bench for that position. The Warriors dog mentality has always been up front.
I’d love to see Avery Bradley on the Warriors. I think he has skill plus grunt, a Fantastic combination and very valuable. The Warriors have always leaned towards picking up skill guys like Livingston Etc.
This is why Draymond Green is essential to the Warriors success. He and the centers they pick up here and there are the only grunt energy Dirty Work guys they have so he’s of huge importance… more so then he would if he was on another team. So Bradley would be awesome with the Warriors.
yeah, he would excel there too. I love to my ex-celtics doing well. I hate that Rondo was a Laker! But congrats to him
I wonder if he will get a ring. I understand guys that get traded or released getting one because that is out of their control. But this guy chose to not participate in helping his team win a championship, so I wouldn’t give him a ring. I don’t begrudge anyone for opting out for whatever reason, but I sure wouldn’t reward the decision either.
Generally speaking when a player in any sport is an integral part of a championship team during the regular season, then misses the postseason for whatever reason, he customarily gets a ring just like everyone else.
Not to mention the fact of the PR nightmare the Lakers would face for refusing to give Bradley a ring because he sat out during a pandemic because he has a 6-year old son with a history of respiratory illnesses and chose not to put him at risk of catching covid.
I read that they will definitely offer him a championship ring. He was part of the team for that early part of the season and played a big role. He deserves a ring and the Lakers will offer it. There was something mentioned about whether he’s not sure if he will accept a ring. Humble man.
He will get a ring 100 percent.
Yes sign to bucks, and get rid of Bledsoe.
Lebron James is a modern day Arnold Palmer. Much like Arnie, James is putting millions in his fellow players pockets. Popoe, Bradley, Howard and Rondo. All panned as also rans when they signed with the Lakers. Now due to playing with the most unselfish superstar of all time teams are lining up to sign these guys. And on top of that all of you haters are trying to find a way to get these guys on your team. All except the Rockets who might have to sit the season out because not enough players actually want to play for them and OKC who’s starting five are currently in middle school
Only Howard became a better player because of LeBron. The other 3 made their money on their own.
Nobody else even wanted Rondo, who was/is old, can’t shoot 3s, and hollers at people. Bradley was steadily getting downgraded because of his metrics and getting moved around. Pope was also moving down in preference with offcourt issues. The future never came with him.
All four were trending downward until 19/20.
Rondo and Bradley both play very good defense. Rondo took less to play with lakers now wants his money. Bradley has always been a good player. Pope has been up and down but played good in the playoffs. Every year players on all teams trend down wards and then has a very good year. They go out and sign a better deal. Nothing because of LeBron.
Just random successes then, right. Maybe the Lakers gave them the right pills with their complementary postgame meats and cheeses.
He should get a ring, I agree. I do wonder where he will go. Warriors are a good place for him. The Suns now also a good place for him. I don’t see him getting more than 5 mill though.
It depends what happens with the Warriors available money. I’m sure they’re swinging for the fences first and then if they strike out they may pick up guys like Bradley second-tier. But Bradley won’t be cheap and they’ll probably miss out on him. Then Warriors go third-tier guys to fill out the roster.
Guys Rob Pelinka said a few weeks ago that they were gonna give him one, so that is that, regardless if he earned it or not, he is getting one, having said that… Bu buy Avery & good riddance!
I could picture Avery Bradley as the kind of man who would want to return to the Lakers to finish the job so to speak. He signed and was not there to help the team do the job so maybe he feels he let his team down? I think he’s a straight-up guy and might even take a two or three-year deal for the same money he was getting? Something like that. I’m thinking a guy like that doesn’t like having unfinished business or unfinished contribution on his resume. Unlike other guys who say screw that I’m out of here where’s the money next? Do I make sense? Probably not LOL
Pandemic not over and NBA going to play under riskier non-bubble conditions. Will Avery play?
Thats a good point. But eventually folks gotta make money.