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NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Los Angeles Clippers

By Jerry Christodoulatos

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: DeAndre Jordan #6 and Austin Rivers #25 of the LA Clippers during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 11, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: DeAndre Jordan #6 and Austin Rivers #25 of the LA Clippers during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 11, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

5. Avery Bradley

What a strange season for Avery Bradley. This time last year Bradley was coming off a career year in Boston, helping the Celtics reach the Eastern Finals for the first time in five years.  Entering a contract year, he seemed poised for a nice payday in 2018. Then Boston traded him to Detroit in order to facilitate the Gordon Hayward signing. In his 40 game tenure with the Pistons, Bradley largely disappointed. Many of the easy looks he got within Boston’s motion system evaporated in the claustrophobic, bricky Detroit offense. Bradley got to the rim less frequently and his jumper didn’t drop as often.

As Detroit’s season slipped away, management approved a desperation trade for Blake Griffin and Bradley was on the move again. A lingering groin injury kept Bradley sidelined for all but six games with the Clippers though. A disappointing 2018 season has doubtlessly impacted Bradley’s value on the open market. An injury history that grows more concerning with each passing year might compound the decrease in Bradley’s earning potential.

The Clippers need to ask themselves how important Bradley is to this team moving forward. Avery has a reputation as a defensive ace, which is well earned given his ability to hound opposing ones and twos. But Los Angeles has so many guards on the roster and wing defense is a pressing need for this team. Bradley is too small and not long enough to defend small forwards with the same degree of effectiveness that he brings against backcourt guys.

Despite an underwhelming season, Avery Bradley is a good player that will attract some interest across the league. A hefty deal probably won’t materialize for him this summer though. Bradley is a likely candidate for a multi-year deal at the full mid-level exception. If that is indeed his price, the Clippers should probably let him walk.

The most reasonable option for Los Angeles might be to re-sign Bradley on a one-year overpay. That way, the Clippers can temporarily maintain the status quo, while keeping their 2019 space open.  In addition, Bradley can get on the market again next summer when more cap space will be available across the NBA. Of course the Clippers will keep the tax in mind here, but a one-year contract in the $15 million range could do the trick.

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