After the seasons in the launch ramp with the Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley suffered a considerable setback with the transfer to the Detroit Pistons first and then to the Los Angeles Clippers. His average points dropped considerably, rebounds (from 6.1 to 2.5) and shooting percentages (from 46.3% to 41.1%). And for a player who bases everything on defense and shooting by three, it's not a great sign; but Bradley is 27 years old and now that he has recovered this year's injury, he can become a really important piece for a team with ambitions.

For the first time in his career he will test the free agency and even though he is not a top player like LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard (who will not be a free agent but has asked for the transfer), DeMarcus Cousins or Isaiah Thomas, it will be interesting to see which teams will be involved and what proposals they can offer to the player.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers are looking for consistent players for their roster, especially in their guard role where both Redick and Belinelli are free agents and Covington alone doesn't convince too much. Bradley would lead defense in a system that from January onwards has turned right in his half of the field, in addition to shooting by three (Phila was 10° for efficiency from the arc and 21° for percentage to the spot-up shot) which with Simmons and Embiid in the field is necessary in order to open spaces and punish defensive choices.

San Antonio Spurs

The player option exercised by Danny Green removes some of the salary space from the San Antonio Spurs (the proposal could be the mid-level exception of 8.6 million) but they are looking for a player just like the ex Celtics to be included in their system already well tested. The situation of Kawhi Leonard is obviously taking away some of the attention of the black-silver from the rest of the market, but playing for Popovich and for a franchise like the Spurs is gorgeous for all players.


Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder were very close to the player as early as February near the trade deadline before the Pistons agreed with the Clippers for Blake Griffin. Andre Roberson's injury had taken away an important option from coach Donovan (OKC went from sixth to 14th best defense without Roberson) and Bradley seemed to be the ideal replacement (even better). Paul George obviously has to understand the situation, but the Thunder would have the space to offer to AB the mid-level exception of 8.6 million (like the Spurs) and decide whether to use it as titular or as the sixth man, perhaps in a quintet with Carmelo Anthony to increase the defensive consistency of the team.

Memphis Grizzlies

The management of Memphis Grizzlies is repeating on several occasions that the goal after the terrible last season, is to return immediately to the playoffs: the return from injury of Mike Conley should give new life to Marc Gasol and the environment. At the Draft with the #4 has chosen Jaren Jackson Jr. for the power forward spot, while the position remains uncovered considering that Tyreke Evans will be an unrestricted free agent and will hardly be renewed.





Bradley seems to embody exactly the spirit of Grit & Grind that for years has been the emblem of the franchise, a working class that however has often been at the highest level: defense and shooting by three are the characteristics of the players that Memphis is choosing, but it remains to be seen if Bradley will risk going to another team a bit 'in reconstruction and with a very uncertain future.