The list of names that won’t participate in the NBA restart in Orlando is getting bigger by the day. According to ESPN, Portland Trail Blazers’ veteran Trevor Ariza and Los Angeles Lakers’ guard Avery Bradley will be among the players who opted to sit out the rest of the 2019/20 season.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Ariza made the decision due to involvement in a custody case over his son. The 34-year-old forward was recently granted a one-month “visitation period” that overlaps with the NBA season resume and decided to put his duties as a father first.
The family also played a big part in Bradley’s decision, as the 29-year-old wants to be close to his wife and children during the ongoing health crisis.
“As committed to my Lakers teammates and the organization as I am, I ultimately play basketball for my family,” Bradley told ESPN. “And so, at a times like this, I can’t imagine making any decision that might put my family’s health and well-being at even the slightest risk.”
Trevor Ariza started the season with the Sacramento Kings, playing 32 games with the franchise before being traded to Trail Blazers midway through the season. Ariza immediately emerged as a major contributor for Portland’s injury-riddled roster, as he averaged 11.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game in 21 games.
Avery Bradley emerged as a starter for Los Angeles Lakers this season, helping the team to a No.1 seed in the Western Conference. Bradley averaged 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 points before the season was suspended while also playing a crucial role in Lakers’ top three ranked defense.
With Bradley out, Lakers are expected to turn to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope while also exploring free-agent market additions.
