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Avery Bradley further bolsters Lakers supporting cast, Pelinka avoids errors of 2018

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Guard Avery Bradley will sign a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers once he clears waivers, per Adrian Wojnarowski.

Bradley’s two-year, $9.7 million pact with the Lakers will include a player option for the 2020/21 NBA season.

Bradley becomes the latest veteran to sign with the Lakers since Kawhi Leonard joined the Clippers along with Danny Green, DeMarcus Cousins, Quinn Cook, Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alex Caruso and JaVale McGee.

Bradley, a solid three-point shooter and excellent defender, continues the pattern of intelligent additions from Rob Pelinka. Defence is a concern with this Lakers roster, but adding Bradley along with Green and Caldwell-Pope helps to alleviate some of those worries.

Although he had a rough time with the rival Clippers last year, Bradley’s form picked up when he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, who recently waived the two-time All-Defense guard.

       

Bradley shot 38.4% from three on over five attempts per game for the rebuilding Grizzlies while averaging a steal, four assists and an impressive 16.1 points.

Adding shooting was a necessity for the Lakers. Bradley is another acquisition that fits well with LeBron and Anthony Davis, as Pelinka continues to avoid the errors of the 2018 offseason that haunted the Lakers throughout last season.

The two-year deal is perhaps a bit surprising, but it fits with the pattern of moves Pelinka has made. The Lakers have decided on the core of their supporting cast, and will stick with it through 2019/20 and 2020/21. Other than Cousins, all of the recently signed role players will be around for the 2020/21 campaign, with Davis the only other free agent next summer.

Pelinka continues to make the best out of a disappointing situation. Bradley is the sort of signing they should have made last summer, but it’s always better late than never.

Attention will now turn to Kyle Korver and Andre Iguodala, who could both be available in the near future.

       

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