IN THE LANE HIS TIME: Avery Bradley LeBron James

Granted, is not the best ex-Heat player on the Los Angeles Lakers, giving his due respect. But among the former Heat players added by the Lakers in the offseason, Bradley has provided more to this stage than Wayne Ellington, Trevor Ariza or sidelined Kendrick Nunn. The left coach Frank Vogel particularly pleased that Bradley’s contract was guaranteed this past week at that NBA deadline.“He hit the ground running with us,”Vogel said.“Obviously, having a little bit of a background in our system, being here a few years ago, played extremely well for us, deserved a starting role, brings that defensive presence but also playing really well offensively. Happy to see him get his deal guaranteed.”As was the case with the Heat, Bradley initially had been somewhat reluctant offensively for the Lakers, with that recently coming around, including a 21-point performance in a victory over the Hawks. “I’m always telling him be aggressive shooting the basketball, looking for your catch

and-shoots,” Vogel said.

STILL SEARCHING: By contrast, former Heat guard Josh Richardson is still trying to find his way with the Celtics, his third team in as many seasons. A 17-point breakout last weekend against the Knicks offered renewed hope. Richardson said he would give himself“a B-minus, like a B, B-minus” for his first half-season in Boston, with hope for more ahead. “Just hopefully showing more consistency,” he said. “Hopefully being able to be healthy in the second half of the season more, being more available. And just still working on being a leader on this team; being vocal, not shying away from when things need to be said. I think that’ll be a good step for me.”

SOFTER SIDE: Apparently seeing is not always believing with Jimmy Butler. That middlefinger greeting in huddles with Max Strus? All love between the Heat teammates. And, as explained in an ESPN story on the modern-day muting of trash talk, apparently peace has also been made with longtime foil Joe Ingles of the Utah Jazz. Of a pregame chat with Ingles earlier this season, Butler said he told Ingles, “We’ve been in this league for way too long now. C’mon, man, chill with the T’s. I want my money, you want your money. Let it go . . . . We’ve been good ever since. He’s a good dude.” Said Ingles, “I was like, ‘I’m with it, because I’m trying to save some money, too.’ Ever since then, we’ve gotten along pretty well.”

RESPECT GIVEN: With Dwayne Wade now a minority owner of the Jazz, Utah guard Donovan Mitchell revealed in an interview with The Athletic just how much of an influence the Heat icon has been on his career. “I was definitely a Heat fan growing up,” Mitchell said. “I remember when him and LeBron were playing the Pacers in a playoff series. And I just remember how they manipulated the game in the fourth quarter and overtime. I remember ... how much he impacted my life and my career growing up. We just witnessed greatness when he was playing. He’s been a big influence on me in a number of ways.” Added Mitchell, “He’s been a role model to so many. And now, being one of the owners of the team and him being around, he’s been a blessing to me.”