Which impending NBA free agents could have contributed in the Conference Finals?
By Ti Windisch
![MIAMI, FL - APRIL 11: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors on April 11, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) MIAMI, FL - APRIL 11: Wayne Ellington #2 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors on April 11, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/927dc01c7459c49319bec313b4be2f05c53d11fcc26ba47109949699c842eb94.jpg)
3. Avery Bradley
Another player who saw his free agency stock drop following a trade, Avery Bradley was dealt first from the Boston Celtics to the Detroit Pistons, and then sent from Detroit to the Los Angeles Clippers. His numbers dropped with each trade.
It feels unfair to hold a whopping six-game stint with the Clippers against Bradley, and while he was better in Boston he was not bad by any measure while he was a Piston. Bradley posted 15.0 points per game on 40.9 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from beyond the arc.
At times in his career, Bradley has been a top-shelf defender. That’s extra impressive considering he’s only 6-foot-2. His reputation as an elite player on D has suffered recently, but playing for two non-playoff teams typically isn’t good for somebody coming from a contender.
Even if Bradley can’t do all that much besides shoot and play strong perimeter defense, those are two skills teams are desperately seeking. If his reputation has suffered enough for Bradley to sign a bargain bin type of contract, some contender could grab a valuable wing player for their next run at the championship.