What Could The Celtics Fetch For Avery Bradley?

With Avery Bradley expected to hit free agency in the summer of 2018, expect the trade rumors to continue to swirl around him. What is a reasonable asking price for the defensive stalwart?

Both Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas are currently scheduled to hit the free agent market come next summer, and the argument can certainly be made that each deserves a max deal. Thomas virtually sealed his fate as a max-worthy player by netting All-NBA Second Team honors at the conclusion of the season, while Bradley has climbed the ladder as one of the most feared perimeter defenders in the NBA.

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Assuming the Boston Celtics decide to approach the likes of Gordon Hayward and Blake Griffin in free agency this offseason and wish to maintain some salary cap flexibility for the free agency period of 2018, they will only be able to keep one of their two leading scorers from 2016-17. Thomas emerged as a potential franchise cornerstone this past season, lighting up TD Garden for 28.9 points per game while invigorating Celtics Nation with pride not seen in a half-decade. While nobody except for general manager Danny Ainge has a firm grasp on what the future will hold for “The Little Guy,” the Celtics could very well choose to build around Thomas, which could lead to Bradley’s departure in 2018.

With Bradley harboring one of the more team-friendly contracts in the NBA at $8.8 million in 2017-18 while coming off a season in which he garnered a career-best 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, he could command some desirable value in trade circles. This could be capitalized on in a sign-and-trade in 2018, as teams might be more willing to invest in Bradley should they have the guarantee of his services for multiple seasons. However, there are plenty of teams around the league who could use Bradley’s defensive merit and 39 percent three-point stroke as a rental next season and those who would be willing to take the chance on Bradley re-signing with the team following next season.

While many surrounding the Celtics believe that the best option would be to package Bradley along with other assets in a trade for a superstar, this would involve Boston relinquishing the right to at least one of the two Brooklyn Nets picks that they have the rights to over the next two years or a blue-chip prospect such as Jaylen Brown. It would be foolish for Ainge to mortgage Boston’s future for a superstar like Jimmy Butler or Paul George with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers impeding their path to the NBA Finals. Ainge is aware of this notion, having fleeced the greedy Nets in the midst of trading then-aging stars Pierce and Garnett four summers ago.

Rather, if the Celtics were to trade Bradley, it would be reasonable for them to command future draft picks in an effort to build their team to the point where they could reign as perennial Eastern Conference powers once James’ dominance begins to wane, should that ever be a possibility. Last month, The Sixer Sense reported that the shooting guard-starved Philadelphia 76ers could be a potential landing spot for Bradley. They stipulated that a possible trade package for the All-Defensive First Team selectee could include Philadelphia’s first-round pick in 2019, a heavily-protected first-rounder from the Thunder in 2020, shooting guard Gerald Henderson in order to balance out the salary cap, and European draft stash Vasilije Micic.

This haul would be ideal for the Celtics. While the 76ers could be a postseason contender two seasons from now, holding the rights to Philadelphia’s 2019 first-rounder could give Boston four first-round picks in this draft. This could allow them to make a trade for a superstar in 2019. At this point, the team would have a better gage on James’ longevity and what the likes of Markelle Fultz and the 2018 first-round selection would need in order to contend for an NBA Finals berth.

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If Boston is indeed planning on adding Fultz to their already-crowded backcourt, trading Bradley if they have little intention on bringing him back on a long-term deal makes sense. This would allow Fultz to step into 25-minute per game territory while also expanding the role of Marcus Smart on both ends of the floor. Smart has the capability to keep opposing team’s best offensive weapon in check and can also guard all five positions on the floor. Removing Bradley from the equation could allow his game to blossom before he hits the free agent market in 2019.