Lakers Sign Veteran Avery Bradley To Two-Year Deal, Hawks Add Jabari Parker

The Los Angeles Lakers announced Monday that they have signed free agent guard Avery Bradley to a two-year, $9.7 million contract.

Bradley, 28, cleared waivers on Monday after being waived by the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. According to Bradley’s agent, Bill Duffy of BDA Sports, the second year of Bradley’s contract with the Lakers will be a player option.

The 6-foot-2 Bradley is known for being a stout defender across the NBA. Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving has said before that Bradley guards him better than any other player in professional basketball. His offensive game, however, leaves a lot to be desired, part of the reason why Bradley has been traded three times in the last three seasons.

Bradley started 49 games for the Los Angeles Clippers last season before being traded to the Grizzlies for forward JaMychal Green and guard/forward Garrett Temple.

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For his career, Bradley has averaged 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game on 43.6% shooting from the field, including 36.4% from three-point range.

In other free agency news, the Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent forward Jabari Parker to a two-year, $13 million contract.   

The Washington Wizards declined the second year of a two-year, $20 million contract for Parker on June 29, thus letting Parker explore other options in free agency.

Parker, 24, spent time last season with both the Chicago Bulls and Wizards. After being relegated to reserve duty with the Bulls, Chicago traded Parker to the Wizards where he played in 25 games off the bench for Washington. In those 25 games for the Wizards, Parker averaged 15.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game on a career-high 52.3% shooting from the field.

The biggest issue that Parker faces is his lack of defense. Last season, Parker ranked 87th out of 100 power forwards in the NBA in defensive real plus-minus (-0.91).

For his career, Parker has averaged 15.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game on 49.1% shooting.

Article by Jason Hirsch