Should the Sixers trade for Avery Bradley?

By Christopher Kline | Jan 29, 2018

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 08: Avery Bradley #22 of the Detroit Pistons reacts during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 8, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Avery Bradley is available. Should the Philadelphia 76ers be interested?

One of the most interesting trends this season has been the decline of everybody the Boston Celtics traded. Jae Crowder has been a dud for Cleveland, Isaiah Thomas is struggling to fit in, and Avery Bradley has one of the worst on/off splits in Detroit.

Some of that is situational, but it’s a coincidence that’s worth pointing out. Markelle Fultz has also forgotten how to shoot, so that adds another interesting layer for Philadelphia 76ers fans.

Now one of those former Celtics outcasts in on the trade block, with the Pistons reportedly willing to part ways with Bradley. Once lauded as the Sixers’ dream pickup in 2018 free agency, the Pistons might struggle to get a significant return for his expiring contract before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

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There’s a lot that goes into this. Bradley is 27, so he doesn’t necessarily fit the timeline that most Sixers fans swear to. He could take minutes away from Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Justin Anderson, but we don’t know how sustainable their recent uptick in production is. He’d at least keep Jerryd Bayless off the floor.

You also have to take into account his value. Bradley has always been lauded for his defense, but he’s a smaller two-guard who isn’t as switch-friendly as some fans would like.

The Pistons’ asking price factors into this as well. The Sixers shouldn’t be giving up a first round pick for somebody they can sign this offseason, especially when you consider how poorly Bradley has played. He isn’t Lou Williams.

I think the most important thing to establish here is Bradley’s defensive value. The Sixers have the bodies needed to maximize A.B.’s impact, especially if he were to slide into the starting rotation over J.J. Redick.

Ben Simmons and Robert Covington are both capable of guarding four positions with success, so length wouldn’t be an issue. You could focus Bradley on point guards and have him defending opposing ball handlers, most of which are in his wheelhouse. There’s some obvious benefits there.

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I also don’t think he’s as bad as he looks in Detroit. The Pistons are in a bad place right now, and his increased volume without Reggie Jackson isn’t helping. Bradley is at his best in a complimentary role.

Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, under Brett Brown’s coaching, should put him in a more comfortable position.

A capable defender who can shoot threes above the league-average rate — currently 38.1 percent — brings a lot of value. I’m buying TLC’s upside more than Anderson’s off the bench, but I don’t think he’s good enough to avoid a half-year trial with somebody of Bradley’s ilk.

If he can regain the form we saw in Boston, the Sixers could steal a quality starter (or sixth-man, depending on how Redick fits into the equation) for well below market value. If Trevor Booker‘s expiring contract and a second round pick or two is all it takes, I don’t see why Philly would avoid that kind of deal.

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I’m still a believer in what Bradley brings to the table, and Philadelphia could be the right place to maximize his skill set.