Los Angeles Clippers: 5 biggest disappointments from 2017-18 NBA season
3. Failed trade piece
During his time with the Boston Celtics, Avery Bradley was one of the most feared perimeter defenders in the league. Averaging no less than 2.0 defensive win shares during his final three seasons in Boston, Bradley used his length and quickness to stifle the likes of Kyrie Irving and John Wall on a nightly basis.
Along with his elite defense, Bradley morphed into an elite outside shooter, clocking in at 39 percent in his final season with the Celtics.
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In the year since the C’s traded Bradley, the two-time All-Defensive Team member has struggled where he once thrived.
When the Clippers acquired Bradley from the Detroit Pistons in the Blake Griffin trade, they were hoping to get the Avery Bradley that thrived in Boston, rather than the one who struggled in Detroit.
After posting 2.0 defensive win shares during his final season in Boston, Bradley’s defense plummeted to 1.1 in Detroit, and while his 3-point percentage actually increased, his overall offensive impact cratered, going from 1.1 offensive win shares to -1.4.
After the trade to Los Angeles, Bradley only managed to play six games for the Clippers thanks to a hernia injury that required surgery, making it difficult to assess his fit within the team.
Having said that, Bradley has clearly struggled outside of Celtics coach Brad Stevens’ system. As a free agent this upcoming summer, the Clippers were hoping to get an audition from Bradley before possibly giving him a large deal this offseason.
Now if they want to retain his services, it will come with more risk than ever before.