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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 01: Dwight Howard #39 and Avery Bradley #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers play the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on January 1, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 01: Dwight Howard #39 and Avery Bradley #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers play the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on January 1, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers have claimed veteran guard Avery Bradley off waivers for his second stint with the team. For the Los Angeles Lakers, age is just a number as they add on another player who is above the age of 30. It seems that the Lakers have gone all-in for the championship run this season. Keeping all their plans for the future on hold.
The Golden State Warriors waived the 30-year-old guard despite his appreciation for the franchise. Moreover, despite their franchise players: Stephen Curry and Draymond Green requesting them to keep Bradley, the franchise waived him among several other guards.
The Los Angeles Lakers have claimed Avery Bradley off waivers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 18, 2021
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It is important to mention that Bradley opted out of the Orlando Bubble in their championship-winning playoff run. So what is it that the front office thinks Avery Bradley brings to the franchise? And can they rely on Bradley to deliver?
How does Avery Bradley fit in the Los Angeles Lakers roster?
Since the championship-winning 2020 season, the Lakers’ key strength more than their offense was their defense. And being a member of NBA’s All-Defensive teams twice in his career, Bradley brings that strength to the Lakes. Especially since the other potential guards, they have in his position, like Monk, Westbrook, Nunn, and Anthony, are offensively stronger than their defense. So they tend to focus on that.
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SHENZHEN, CHINA – OCTOBER 12: #11 Avery Bradley of the Los Angeles Lakers in action during a preseason game as part of 2019 NBA Global Games China at Shenzhen Universiade Center on October 12, 2019 in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Simultaneously, according to NBA’s website, Bradley held the players he was guarding to 24.6% shooting on three-pointers. And 30.1% on shots from a distance greater than 15 feet in his first stint with the Lakers. So his defense would bring a style of play in which Frank Vogel is an expert.
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In head coach Frank Vogel’s first two seasons, the Lakers were famous for their outstanding defense. In 2019-20, they were placed third in defensive rating (106.1), and first in 2020-21 (106.8). So defensive skills are like brownie points for gaining a place on Vogel’s roster. Will Bradley be able to deliver? Is the depth he brings to the roster impactful enough to help the Lakers make another championship run? Considering that for this roster, age is just a number, we could see the return of a prime Avery Bradley as well.
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