LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley will not join the Orlando team when the championship resumes its season next month.
Avery Bradley appears to pass the ball in a game against the New Orleans pelicans on February 25, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Getty Images)
The 29-year-old told ESPN on Tuesday that the main reason for doing so is due to the well-being of his 6-year-old son Liam, who has a history of difficulty recovering from respiratory diseases, making him unlikely he would have been medically authorized to enter the bubble Orlando with family.
“As much as I commit to my Lakers teammates and the organization, I end up playing basketball for my family,” Bradley told ESPN. “And so, at a time like this, I can’t imagine making any decision that could endanger my family’s health and well-being. As promised too, I will use this time to focus on forming projects to help strengthen my communities. “
Bradley, along with Brooklyn guard Nets Kyrie Irving, led the drive among the players to let the season restart in order to focus on the social issues of racial inequality and police brutality currently under discussion.
Bradley has started 44 games for the Lakers this season, emerging as a two-way threat in helping the team reach the best Western Conference record. With Bradley’s decision not to play, the Lakers will be able to sign a player to replace him. ESPN reports that former Knighting Guard JR Smith emerged as the main candidate to do so.
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