After missing the last four games with an injury, Avery Bradley is nearing a return. With the rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stepping into the starting five during his absence, Bradley’s new role may be coming off the bench for the LA Clippers.
Avery Bradley has played 468 games in his career (15 of them for the LA Clippers). In 395, he has started. Aside from his first two seasons, Bradley has spent the majority of each season as a starting guard. The last time the nine-year veteran came off the bench was during the 2015-2016 season.
Why is any of this relevant?
With the emergence of rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, he may have to transition into a role he’s not too familiar with. In his nine games with LA this year, Bradley has averaged nine points, and just under two rebounds and assists a game.
On the other hand, since being added into the starting rotation, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 15 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists a game. He has six blocks to go along with four steals. Even better, he’s shooting 52 percent from the floor, and 44 percent from deep.
Both SGA and Bradley share an identical 112 defensive rating when they are the starters. However, the difference in offensive rating is significantly higher for the rookie. As if the numbers didn’t already give it away, Gilgeous-Alexander’s is much, much better. SGA has an offensive rating of 114, compared to Bradley’s 79.
To simply put it, Gilgeous-Alexander needs to be the full-time starter.
Bradley would be GREAT off the bench
In no way is this a demotion for Bradley, he would just benefit more and help the team if he were to come off the bench. Since SGA became the starter, the Clippers are 3-1, and have wins over the Bucks and Warriors, arguably the two best teams in the NBA. When things are clearly working, no need to tamper with them.
If Bradley were to come off the bench, this would give the second-unit arguably the best defensive 6th man in the league. During his absence, Milos Teodosic has been running the point-guard position. No discredit to Milos, but Bradley would be a definite upgrade, especially on the defensive side.
A second-unit of Bradley, Lou Williams, Mike Scott, Montrezl Harrell and whoever Doc’s fifth option would be, arguably give LA one of the deepest, and best defensive benches in the league.
We’ll have to see what happens. As a veteran, Bradley may not be too keen on the idea of coming off the bench. Or, he’ll be open to the idea, and he’ll flourish, helping the Clippers drastically.