2. Avery Bradley
Speaking of players that won’t be on the Los Angeles Lakers’ list this offseason, let’s discuss Avery Bradley. Quite frankly, it is shocking that Bradley even lasted this long on the Lakers to begin with. Bradley was cut from the Warriors right before the regular season began after playing preseason games with the team.
The Lakers quickly signed Bradley to a non-guaranteed contract and it was clear what the team was doing. Bradley was the 15th member of the Lakers’ roster and with the team being so far above the luxury tax threshold, Bradley’s non-guaranteed contract was meant to be an easy contract to get out of if another option became available.
Maybe the Lakers were planning for Kevin Love to be bought out by the Cleveland Cavaliers but it ultimately never happened (that would explain the lack of a second power forward on the roster). Regardless, Bradley’s contract was guaranteed and he played out the season.
Bradley really did seem to be a personal favorite of Frank Vogel’s and it was clear that Vogel was not watching the same player that everyone else was watching. Bradley’s defense was fine but was definitely replaceable. Offensively, he was one of the most inefficient guards in the league last season.
Vogel is no longer running things in Los Angeles and there goes Bradley’s biggest supporter. It would be genuinely shocking if Bradley is on the Lakers next season as he will probably end up being the 14th man on another contender… especially if another contender hires Vogel to be on its coaching staff.