One of the best guard defenders is joining the defending Eastern Conference champions, as Avery Bradley has reached an agreement with the Miami Heat.
The veteran signed a two-year, $11.6M deal with Miami, Shams Charania from The Athletic reported. Bradley opted out of his contract with the Lakers that would have paid him $5 million next season.
Free agent Avery Bradley has agreed to a two-year, $11.6M deal with the Miami Heat, his agent Charles Briscoe tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2020
The shooting guard, who started 44 games for the Lakers last season, averaged 8.6 points and 2.3 rebounds, being also a really good defender. Bradley, who sat out the season restart with Los Angeles at Orlando, lost $650,000 in salary from his previous contract.
The Athletic confirmed Bradley was sold on the Heat’s culture, and Pat Riley and Jimmy Butler recruited him to leave Los Angeles.
The NBA veteran is capable of guarding multiple positions, and he significantly improved his offense during his lone year with the Lakers. In 24 minutes per game, Bradley shot 44.4% from the field, including 36.4% from three-point range.
Miami has been able to make power moves during the offseason. Despite losing Jae Crowder to Phoenix and Derrick Jones Jr to Portland, the Heat re-signed Goran Dragic to a two-year deal as well as adding Moe Harkless.