Tony Bradley to reportedly become unrestricted free agent

The Oklahoma City Thunder have reportedly decided not to extend a qualifying offer to Tony Bradley, making him an unrestricted free agent.

According to The Athletic’s Tony Jones, multiple teams are expected to show interest in the big man.

Jones is The Athletic’s Jazz beat reporter, where Bradley spent his first three seasons in the NBA at.

The Thunder could have made Bradley a restricted free agent and let him test the market and match any offer sheet given to him. Instead, the franchise has decided to cut bait and give Bradley the freedom to pursue a new contract with other teams.

Bradley was acquired from the Thunder in the George Hill trade this past trade deadline. In 22 games played with OKC, the 23-year-old averaged 8.7 points and 6.1 rebounds a game off the bench.

Bradley is your stereotypical backup big, where he can be effective in short bursts as a rim running center who can rebound well. Those centers usually carve out journeymen careers in the league as their services will always be needed.

Bradley does not really fit the timeline of the Thunder. He is a bit too old, and his production is not irreplaceable. Bradley’s services better fit a contending team looking to add depth than a rebuilding team like the Thunder, who are starting from scratch.

With Bradley’s departure, the Thunder currently do not have a traditional center on their roster. Al Horford was traded to the Boston Celtics last month, and Mike Muscala is a UFA. This will obviously change in the upcoming weeks via the draft and free agency.