Tony Bradley gets second 10-day contract with Pacers
The Pacers need depth at center and he fit in well during his first 10-day contract. So he received a second (and final) one. Plus, the front office scouts the Big Ten Tournament.
Tony Bradley’s first 10-day contract with the Pacers expired on Wednesday. Because of (very) early season injuries to Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman, that left a hole a backup center.
IU product Thomas Bryant was a good acquisition in mid-December, but one month before the playoffs, you need to have a third option.
So on Thursday, before practice, the Pacers signed Bradley to a second 10-day contract that will span from March 13 to March 22 and be good for six games: at Philly, at Milwaukee, at Minnesota, vs Dallas, and vs Brooklyn (2x).
This will be his final 10-day with the franchise because players may only sign a maximum of two 10-days with a team each season.
“We like him as a player,” Carlisle told reporters after practice on Thursday. “For a guy that's a third center, he's ideal right now.
“He did some very good things when he played in the Chicago game. In practices and in simulated stuff in the gym, he's been terrific. Smart, great hands, defensively has a really good feel for what we're doing here.”
Bradley, who’s 6-foot-10, had six points and two rebounds in eight minutes of the game that Carlisle referenced against Chicago. He also played one minute in three other games for rebounding purposes. So of the six he was available, he appeared in four games.
He’s totaled six points and four rebounds while shooting 3 for 3 from the field.
“Not a lot of it's flashy, not a lot of it's going to look as sexy as it's supposed to, but that's someone who can come in here and help us if you throw him in there,” said starting center Myles Turner. “… I just like the way that he's able to kind of move guys out of the way.”
Come March 23rd, the front office must decide whether to sign him to a rest-of-season deal or go with someone else. But either way, they will need to fill out the final roster spot with size and depth at center.
This was all possible because of a deal just before the trade deadline. They sent Wiseman and cash considerations to cover his salary to Toronto for salary cap relief.
Meanwhile, the Pacers (36-28) have 18 regular-season games remaining and are in a battle with the Bucks for the fourth seed.
Note: Bradley is the fifth player to wear No. 13 since Paul George last did in 2017, along with Ike Anigbogu, Torrey Craig, Jordan Nwora, and James Wiseman.
And Bradley signed this second deal on … March 13th.
Pacers Front Office Watches Big Ten Tournament
The Pacers are on the road for all but one game during this two-week stretch because Gainbridge Fieldhouse is occupied.
Last week, it was the women’s Big Ten basketball tournament and now, the men are in the building. However, it does make for easier player evaluation for the team.
President Kevin Pritchard, general manager Chad Buchanan, senior VP of player personnel Ryan Carr (whose birthday is on Friday), SVP of pro scouting Vance Catlin, and VP of analytics and strategy Spencer Anderson are in the organization’s suite again on day two.
The photo above is during the first game on Thursday: Oregon vs Indiana.
Team scouts are scattered across the country to make sure the team has full coverage.
Later tonight, Buchanan will be dad again as he supports the University of Iowa. His son, Trey, is a freshman preferred walk-on. He was an Indiana All-Star last summer after playing four years at Westfield High School.