On Monday night, the shorthanded Indiana Pacers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, ending their winning streak at eight games. Despite most fans talking about Obi Toppin's incredible performance in the win (and rightfully so), he was not the only Pacer who impressed against the Timberwolves.
In addition to Toppin, big man Tony Bradley had a good game as well. Bradley, who is five days into his second 10-day contract with the Pacers, recorded 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting, nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal in 20 minutes. Bradley played a big role in the team's victory and made a statement against the Timberwolves.
Bradley is just a few days away from his second 10-day contract expiring. At that point, the Pacers either must let him walk or sign him for the rest of the year. After his performance against Minnesota, there are reasons for the Pacers to bring him back. He is great on the boards, can block shots, and provides much-needed depth at center. However, despite all of this, Bradley's recent breakout does not matter, and his best has likely already happened in Indiana.
Pacers may not sign Tony Bradley for the rest of the season
On paper, it makes sense for the Pacers to sign Bradley for the rest of the season. However, even signing him to just a minimum contract the rest of the way would likely push them into the luxury tax. Signing Bradley may not be in the team's best interest for financial reasons. This is especially true with the playoffs right around the corner.
Following their win against Minnesota, the Pacers are once again tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. Regardless of where they finish, the Pacers are all but guaranteed a playoff spot for the second consecutive season. Most teams shorten their rotations in the playoffs to ensure that their best players see the court as much as possible. This is no different for Indiana.
With less than a month left in the season, players like Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker have already seen their minutes go down, which could be a sign of what is to come in the postseason. In this case, it is fair to assume that Bradley would not see much playing time in the playoffs if the Pacers keep him around the rest of the way.
There is a lot to like about Bradley in Indiana. However, it would not be a surprise if the Pacers let the former first-round pick go once his second 10-day contract is up. They could bring him back down the line if this is the decision they go with, but as it stands, Bradley's days in Indiana could be numbered.