Avery Bradley: Leave
Avery Bradley was not with the team during the Orlando bubble, citing to stay home for the health and safety of his family. Of course, there is nothing but respect for Bradley’s decision and while he was not there in Orlando, he was still a big part of this team’s success in the regular season.
He absolutely deserves a ring. If J.R. Smith is getting a ring then Avery Bradley is getting a ring.
However, I do think that this is the end of his Lakers’ tenure as there are two different paths that this can go. First, Bradley could still be concerned about the coronavirus pandemic as it will still be part of our lives when the next NBA season eventually begins.
Bradley could simply opt-out of next season and by that point, his contract with the Lakers would essentially be over either way.
Or, Bradley could come back to play and reject his player option. If he accepts it, Bradley will make $4.8 million next season. He really played well for the Lakers this season and outplayed that price-tag and would undoubtedly get more on the free-agent market, even if it is just on an MLE deal.
I just don’t see a way in which Bradley returns to the Lakers. I think it would take a bigger payday and the Lakers don’t really have to do that.