INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers have picked up their $2.94 million team option on the contract of center Tony Bradley, a league source confirmed to the Indy Star on Sunday. Michel Scotto of HoopsHype reported it first.
The Pacers signed Bradley in March to fill a hole at center. He signed two 10-day contracts before signing a deal that kept him on the roster through the rest of the season for over $300,000 with a club option for this season. Keeping Bradley gives them some center depth if they decide to keep him, but they could also trade him later or release him with no penalty.
Bradley appeared in 14 games in the regular season for the Pacers and averaged 4.4 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. He appeared in 11 playoff games and averaged 1.9 rebounds per game but was effective in both the series against the Knicks and the Thunder dealing with powerful big men Mitchell Robinson and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Bradley was a first-round pick in the 2017 draft after helping North Carolina win the national championship that year. He spent time with the Jazz, 76ers, Thunder and Bulls before the Bulls waived. him in February of 2023. He spent the next two years in the G League before the Pacers signed him.
The Pacers still have several decisions to make at center. Starter Myles Turner is a free agent. Coach Rick Carlisle said re-signing Turner is the team’s No. 1 offseason priority. Backups Isaiah Jackson and Thomas Bryant are both set to be free agents.
