Los Angeles Lakers: Free agents to replace Avery Bradley if he leaves
By Jason Reed
Avery Bradley is very important to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been without guards Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo in the Orlando bubble. Rondo injured his thumb during practices in the bubble before the scrimmage games even began and Bradley opted out of the restart, citing the health of his family.
As a result, the Lakers’ guard depth has been tested. The team has two new faces in Dion Waiters and J.R. Smith that have contributed, mostly Waiters, but there has been an obvious hole. Most notably is the team’s perimeter defense, which has been very bad without Bradley.
It is clear that Bradley is very important to the team’s success and might just be the team’s best signing from the previous offseason. What is concerning is that the team could be without Bradley next season as well.
There are two things that could happen. First, Bradley’s stock may have gone up with his strong play this season and that might prompt him to deny his player option and become a free agent. Second, Bradley could simply opt against playing in the 2020-21 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If either of those things happen it has become clear that the Lakers cannot simply replace Bradley with the guys they have in house, they need to get external help. Here are some potential options.