Los Angeles Clippers: 3 players most likely to be traded in 2018-19

2. Avery Bradley

It feels like a near certainty that the Clippers will end up parting with some of their guards this season. The team has already given an extension to Lou Williams, re-signed Avery Bradley, drafted guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson in the lottery and still have Patrick Beverley and Milos Teodosic on the roster.

This logjam at both guard positions will need to be addressed at some point this season, especially if both rookies end up showing potential and require minutes to develop. Despite signing a new contract this summer, Bradley feels like one of the most likely candidates to be shown the door.

The 27-year-old guard hasn’t been the same since leaving the Boston Celtics, but may be due for a bounce-back year. Injuries slowed him down last season in Detroit and held him to just six games played with the Clippers.

But Bradley’s fit with the team feels complicated. He’s at an age that when the young players reach their prime, he will no longer be able to contribute. He probably would like to have a starting or featured role on the team, and that just doesn’t seem to fit where the team is at.

Veterans like Williams, Beverley and even Teodosic are more likely to accept a shared role in a talented backcourt. They can provide veteran leadership and have almost all shown in the past that they will accept a bench role if the situation necessitates it.

If Bradley can stay healthy, both he and the team can find a mutually beneficial deal by flipping him to a situation where he can have a consistent role. His two-year, $25 million deal shouldn’t be too hard to move, especially if he can find his form from two years ago.