Avery Bradley explains decision to sign with Lakers

The 28-year-old guard was waived by the Grizzlies in early July before signing a two-year, $9.7 million contract with Los Angeles. Bradley said he was excited for a fresh start with a new team.

“I’m feeling extremely great right now, I’m healthy, I’m in shape,” Bradley told reporters this weekend, via the Orange County Register. “And my role, I would expect it to be ... being a guy that’s out there to compete on the defensive end, make open shots and play off our key players. That’s making cuts or just finding other ways to get guys open by my cutting ability.”

Bradley spent the first seven years of his career with the Celtics but has bounced around the league and played for three teams since 2017-18. He averaged 9.9 points and 2.4 assists while shooting 35.1% from 3-point range in 63 total games with the Clippers and Memphis last season.

“My goal is to come (to the Lakers) and give myself a chance to show what I can do,” Bradley said. “I feel like it’s been a rough couple of years for me obviously with trades, (never) being in one place a long period of time and then going through that.

“It’s been hard on me and my family, but I feel like this is going to give me some stability and give me the opportunity to go out there and really show what I can do on both sides of the floor.”

The Lakers revamped their roster this offseason when they acquired Anthony Davis from the Pelicans to pair with LeBron James. They also inked Danny Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee, Quinn Cook, DeMarcus Cousins, Rajon Rondo and Alex Caruso to deals.

Bradley and Rondo shared a backcourt while they were with Boston.

“I knew if I had an opportunity to play with one of those guys, I would definitely think about it,” Bradley said. “Now that the opportunity presented itself, I didn’t hesitate. Everything was aligned.”