The Indiana Pacers' center depth seemed set after they waived Tony Bradley earlier this month. But now, Bradley is forcing the Pacers into an interesting conversation after they signed him to a second 10-day contract.
Indiana brought Bradley back just days after waiving him on a 10-day contract. And the UNC alum has made the most of this opportunity.
Bradley has played some of his best basketball with the Pacers after signing his 10-day contract. This includes a 12-point performance against the Detroit Pistons and a nine-rebound performance against the New Orleans Pelicans.
He may never be the Pacers' answer at center as they are still looking to replace Myles Turner, who signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency. But at the very least, Bradley is proving that he might be a real contributor in Indiana for the long run. And with him back in the mix, it puts the Pacers in an interesting spot as they look to figure out their bleak center situation.
Tony Bradley could be a real asset for the Pacers
Bradley clearly has his shortcomings. He does not provide much value outside on the paint on either side of the ball, and he's not quick enough to truly be a good fit in Indiana. However, it's clear that the Pacers like him, and there are reasons why.
The Florida native can rebound and score efficiently in the paint. He doesn't have a lot of upside, but he knows his role and can play it well. Additionally, given his familiarity with the system, he is a solid option for the Pacers to keep around, especially considering how weak they are at center.
As it stands, the Pacers are likely still going to be active in the trade market this season as they look for a new starting center. And they should be. But at the very least, they should feel confident that they already have multiple valuable backups on the roster. And that seemingly includes Bradley.
This season has been all about experimentation for the Pacers and seeing who can step up when needed. For most of the season, Bradley wasn't one of those players. But he has quickly turned things around in recent games.
With Isaiah Jackson back on the court after missing nearly a month due to a concussion, Bradley's role may be a bit reduced during his second 10-day contract. Regardless, he has already made an impact, and he will still be a player to keep an eye on moving forward.