No one expected Avery Bradley to see the court on Tuesday night, barely 24 hours from being claimed by the Lakers after being waived by the very Golden State Warriors the purple and gold were lining up against.
But, then again, not many expected Bradley back with the Lakers in general, even the franchise itself.
Exactly a week prior to Tuesday’s regular season opener, the Lakers showed a tribute video for Bradley, then on the Warriors, in his first return to Staples Center since helping the 2019-20 Lakers win a title. Fast forward seven days and Bradley had been waived, claimed and was available on Tuesday, but head coach Frank Vogel noted pregame that he was a more of a “break in case of emergency” option on the night.