Avery Bradley: A
Avery Bradley was another signing that Laker doubters tore apart when it was announced, particularly Clipper fans. Avery Bradley was once one of the best two-way shooting guards in the league and was a huge reason why the Isaiah Thomas-led Boston Celtics far exceeded expectations.
However, after a stint with the Philadelphia 76ers, Bradley was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in the Blake Griffin trade and was downright awful for the team. He could not get fully healthy for the team and played exponentially bad.
After being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, Bradley got more minutes to play on a lottery team to try and make his case for free agency. He actually played really well in Memphis, but that was not enough to convince the doubters that he was still a solid player.
In hindsight, this should not be surprising. Bradley is only 29 years old and in the right system with his legs and health under him, he definitely should have been valued as an impact player on the rotation. That is what he has been for the Lakers, proving the doubters wrong.
Bradley is playing the fewest minutes per game since his second season, 24.2, and is averaging 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc,
The numbers might not seem all that great but Bradley is a key defensive component to the backcourt and is about as valuable as you can get in a fourth, or even fifth, scoring option.
Like Howard, Bradley is enjoying a much better offensive rating of 104 this season, which is his highest since leaving Boston. His 109 defensive rating and .066 win shares per 48 minutes are also the highest marks since leaving the Celtics.