The Indiana Pacers have officially signed center Tony Bradley to a standard NBA contract. Bradley’s contract will put him on the team for the remainder of this season and the 2025 NBA playoffs. The Pacers announced in a press release Sunday that Bradley is officially signed, but the details of the contract have yet to be released. This move brings some continuity to the Pacers and prepares them for what they are hoping to be a deep playoff run. Let’s dive into how Bradley impacts the Pacers.
Pacers Sign Backup Center for Remainder of Season
Bradley’s Path to a Pacers Contract
Bradley was the 28th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He bounced around the league for most of his career. Starting with the Utah Jazz he then had stints in Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, and Chicago. However, when the Pacers signed Bradley to his first 10-day contract with the team, he had not played in a regular season NBA game in more than two years.
Bradley was playing on the G League’s College Park Skyhawks before joining the Pacers. He was averaging 16.8 points, 12 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game in the G League in 12 games this season.
Tony Bradley’s Contract Was Much Deserved
After shining in the G League this season, it is no wonder the Pacers turned to Bradley when they needed further center depth. The Pacers have been hit hard by injuries this season. At the center position, they’ve lost James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson to season-ending injuries. During his two 10-day contracts, Bradley showed that he still belongs in the NBA and can help the Pacers.
Although he only played in seven games during the span of his 10-day contract, Bradley has been serviceable. He has surprised some with his ability to keep up with the Pacers’ high-tempo offense. Bradley’s best performance as a Pacer was when he dropped 12 points and nine rebounds in a Pacers win while the team was without Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam. This is exactly the kind of performance the Pacers were hoping they could rely on when signing Bradley.
In very limited playing time Bradley is averaging 3.0 points and 1.9 rebounds so far as a Pacer. It is notable however that he has been incredibly efficient, he has only missed two of 12 field goal attempts so far.
Pacers Prepare for Playoffs
By signing Bradley now, the Pacers have filled their roster and are ready for a playoff run. They are currently the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and are fending off the fifth-seeded Milwaukee Bucks.
With Bradley on a standard contract, he is eligible to play in the playoffs. He has already had a handful of playoff games under his belt throughout his career. He’s played in nine total so far, but the Pacers are hoping that they won’t need him. Turner and Thomas Bryant are likely taking most of the center minutes, but now they have injury insurance that should ease their concerns. Still, if Turner or Bryant go down for an extended time in the playoffs, Bradley will have his hands full.
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