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Best and worst case scenarios for Avery Bradley

By Duncan Smith

AUBURN HILLS, MI - JULY 13: Stan Van Gundy, president of basketball operations of the Detroit Pistons Avery Bradley talk to the media during a press conference on July 13, 2017 at the Detroit Pistons Practice Facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - JULY 13: Stan Van Gundy, president of basketball operations of the Detroit Pistons Avery Bradley talk to the media during a press conference on July 13, 2017 at the Detroit Pistons Practice Facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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This is a pivotal season for both Avery Bradley and the Detroit Pistons. Let’s take a look at the best and worst case scenarios which might arise for both.

Avery Bradley enters the 2017-18 in a contract year with a new team. Provided the Detroit Pistons don’t hard cap themselves again next summer, they’ll be able to offer Bradley more money and more years than any other team.

For both Bradley and the Pistons, much rides on this season. This is Bradley’s first real opportunity to be seen as the best player on his team and the closest to being a featured weapon he’s come in any season in his career. As for the Pistons, Stan Van Gundy is a year away from being a lame-duck president and head coach, as he has two years left in his contract.

More than just Bradley’s performance will be worth watching closely this coming season. His health will be a vital factor as well. Bradley has a hard time staying healthy, with more than 64 games played in only two of his seven seasons. Last year he played just 55 games, and his average games played per season is a meager 59.

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He enters the season with a clean bill of health, but it’s a concerning pattern for Bradley. If he has another injury-plagued season, this team might not have enough depth and talent to overcome it. If he misses extended time and Reggie Jackson is hampered once again by knee tendinitis, this season is all but over.

On the other hand, we have a different story if he lives up to the lofty expectations. If Bradley can stay on the floor and play to the level advertised as both the best defenders and perhaps one of the two or three best offensive players on this Pistons’ team, there is a lot to look forward to.

Should Bradley play to expectation, he has the ability to be a more-than-capable ball handler and the best shooter on the roster, all while locking down the best opposition guard or wing. This team might be able to overcome further regression from Reggie Jackson and a lack of development from Andre Drummond, but it will need everything Avery Bradley has to offer in order to do so.

Bradley will go into next summer as a free agent. The Pistons may have to offer him a max contract in order to retain him, but that might not be enough. Bradley is accustomed to making the playoffs, having made five of the past seven postseasons with the Boston Celtics, and making it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.

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Not only will the Detroit Pistons need to pay up, but they’ll likely need to win in order to have the right to present him the offer in the first place. In fitting fashion, Bradley’s play will have a big role in how that plays out.

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