NBA Rumors: Rockets' Avery Bradley Would Be Pursued by Contenders If He Enters FA

Avery Bradley is reportedly expected to receive interest from contenders if the Houston Rockets decline his $5.9 million team option for the 2021-22 season.

Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported "several" top teams are expected to reach out to Bradley if he becomes a free agent. 

While Bradley does not figure into the rebuilding Rockets' plans, the team could view him as potential salary filler for trades or seek to move him for a second-round pick rather than allowing him to hit free agency.

Bradley is coming off a dismal 2020-21 campaign split between Houston and Miami. He averaged 6.4 points on 37.4 percent shooting, both of which were his worst marks since his rookie season.

A midseason trade to Houston proved disastrous, with Bradley shooting only 31.4 percent in 17 games with the Rockets.

The massive drop-off in play seems more like a one-year blip than something to be expected moving forward. Bradley is a year removed from being a solid role player for the Lakers, and he's been a consistently solid three-and-D fixture throughout his career. 

It's unlikely Bradley would get $5.9 million on the free-agent market coming off his dismal 2020-21 campaign, so the Rockets exercising their team option and then trading him may be his best-case scenario.