Keeping It Heel
Fansided

UNC Basketball: Tony Bradley on the move again; this time to Philadelphia

By Blake Cockrum

Aug 23, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets' Monte Morris (11) shoots as Utah Jazz's Tony Bradley (13) defends during the second half in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets' Monte Morris (11) shoots as Utah Jazz's Tony Bradley (13) defends during the second half in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ashley Landis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Former UNC basketball standout Tony Bradley has been traded for the second time in a week; this time to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Just days after being traded from the Utah Jazz to the Detroit Pistons, former North Carolina basketball standout Tony Bradley is on the move again. This time, the 2016 McDonald’s All-American and 2017 national champion is headed to the Philadelphia 76ers in a trade that sent Zhaire Smith to the Pistons.

The 22-year-old Bradley has one year and $3.5 million remaining on his current contract, so his acquisition gives the 76ers flexibility moving forward. Picking up Smith’s option would have been a much more expensive move, particularly for a player that has been plagued with injury and bad fortune since entering the league in 2018. Bradley, now with his second NBA organization since entering the league in 2017, will likely function as the team’s third-string center behind incumbant starter and All-Star Joel Embiid, and newly-acquired future Hall-of-Famer Dwight Howard.

Bradley averaged 4.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 58 appearances for the Jazz last season. He shot a career-best 66.7 percent from the floor, and 65.2 percent from the free throw line. Despite his frequent usage during the 2019-20 season, however, Bradley played in just 12 games for the Jazz the prior two seasons, averaging 4.4 points and 4.2 rebounds over the three-year stretch since being drafted 28th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017.

Considering Bradley’s current contract, and the role that he will likely play with the 76ers in the coming season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him on a third team in as many seasons in 2021. On the other hand, Bradley could serve as a solid backup to Embiid and Howard over the next year, and get an offer to stay in Philly at a price reasonable to both him, and the organization.

Next. New alternate uniforms for UNC hoops?. dark

Check back with Keeping It Heel for all the latest on Tony Bradley, and UNC basketball alumni throughout the league.

Home/UNC Basketball