Los Angeles Lakers: Other big-name free agents team must consider

Avery Bradley, SG — Los Angeles Clippers (Unrestricted)

More than likely, the Lakers are going to have to replace Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at the 2-guard spot. Josh Hart seems like a better fit off the bench, and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk is a long ways away from being a dependable piece of the rotation.

One unrestricted free agent I’m particularly fond of is Avery Bradley.

Now there are some concerns about Bradley after what was a disastrous 2017-18 season. A year after being named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, he tanked with the Detroit Pistons, struggling in nearly every aspect of the game. Even after his forced move to the Los Angeles Clippers, a sports hernia kept his effectiveness to a minimum (via LA Times’ Broderick Turner) before surgery mercifully ended his season.

Still, we all know what Bradley is capable of. One of the premier 3-and-D players in the NBA, Bradley is an upgrade on KCP when at his best. Back at full health, the former Boston Celtics star can be a dynamic presence on both ends of the floor for the Lakers.

The best part? His ugly 2017-18 campaign should lower his asking price. He made only $8.8 million with the Pistons/Clippers last year. I wouldn’t expect too significant of a pay increase coming off a down year plagued by injury.

Especially if the Lakers get one superstar and use the rest of their cap space to fill out the roster, Bradley seems like an ideal match. He’s a perfect fit for the 3-and-D role and wouldn’t cost an arm and leg to keep in Los Angeles. Sounds like a win-win for Magic and Co.