When the Knicks open training camp for their title defense, they could have a familiar face from Philadelphia in the mix. Andre Drummond is already set to be part of the picture, and Tony Bradley may be next.
SNY’s Ian Begley identified Bradley as a “player on the Knicks' radar,” and he was the only name mentioned. That alone suggests New York may be considering at least a tryout for the veteran center this offseason.
Bradley, 28, has been bouncing between opportunities. He played 38 games for the rebuilding Indiana Pacers last season, averaging 10.9 minutes, 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.
After a string of 10-day contracts ran out, the Atlanta Hawks added him on a rest-of-season deal. He appeared in just three regular-season games for Atlanta, then played four playoff games against the Knicks, logging 10.3 minutes per game in that first-round series.
The Knicks and Sixers also crossed paths this summer in the backup-center market. Drummond finished his second stint in Philadelphia after two seasons and signed with New York.
With Mitchell Robinson out, Drummond is now expected to back up Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks let Ariel Hukporti leave in free agency, and he stepped into Drummond’s roster spot.
Hukportki and Adem Bona will now compete for the main backup role behind Joel Embiid.
Bradley’s own Philadelphia stint came in 2020-2021, when the Sixers traded for him after his three-year run with the Utah Jazz. He was entering his age-23 season then and played 20 games for Philly, putting up 7.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Philadelphia later moved him to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a deal for veteran guard George Hill after Bradley had caught fire. The move made sense at the time, though Hill didn’t end up giving the Sixers much off the bench in the 2021 playoffs.
Bradley never became a long-term answer in Philadelphia, and his NBA career has remained a search for traction. He’s had stops in Chicago, Indiana and Atlanta, along with some G League time. The Knicks may now be the team willing to give him another chance.
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