Avery Bradley has been playing musical chairs with NBA teams this season and it seems that the song might not be quite over yet. Bradley has emerged as a trade deadline target for the San Antonio Spurs, according to a report from Marc Stein of the New York Times.
The Spurs have emerged as a trade suitor for the Clippers' Avery Bradley, according to league sources
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 8, 2018
One construction of the deal has the Spurs sending Danny Green and their first-round pick to the Clippers for Bradley, according to Stein. Green has a $10 million player option for next season. This trade construction is legal because Bradley can only be dealt a second time by himself. But it’s unclear if the Spurs would be willing to part with a first-rounder.
The Clippers are serious about building the future of their team, so they’re looking for first-round picks in return for whatever players they send out, including Bradley, according to Stein’s report.
Bradley has had an up-and-down season mostly with the Pistons. He shot 41 percent from the field in Detroit and 38 percent from three-point range. However, it isn’t his offensive skills the Spurs are coveting. A trade for Bradley means getting a stingy defender who can lock down perimeter players at most positions when he’s at his best.
Does Bradley make sense for the Spurs?
The Spurs already have a 101.6 defensive rating, which puts them at second in the league behind the Celtics. Bradley might be the player who can put them over that hump. They’re missing a solid guard who can play behind Danny Green without giving up too much on defense.
Bryn Forbes and Patty Mills have been solid off the bench in spots but Bradley adds more depth, experience and defense behind Dejounte Murray, Danny Green and Tony Parker. Though Bradley hasn’t been his normal self this season, a change of scenery in San Antonio might help him get there.
Plus, anytime you can have a defensive perimeter with Green, Kawhi Leonard, and Bradley, that’s an opportunity a team should jump at. You’d be hard pressed to find opposing guards who can deal with all three of them at once.
But is Bradley worth a first round pick?
Bradley hasn’t been that good this season and was traded away from Detroit for a reason. He’s still a solid player who can contribute in meaningful ways, but he’s just been a step slower all season and hasn’t looked great offensively outside of Brad Stevens’ system in Boston.
Bradley could bring plenty to the Spurs, but a first-round pick is a hefty price to pay for a guard who might not even play heavy minutes. Plus, there’s the prospect of having to pay him this summer when he finally hits free agency, which could be a tough pill to swallow. If it takes a first-round pick, the Spurs should reconsider and go looking elsewhere for help at guard.