NBA Rumors: Boston Celtics want Avery Bradley back
Many expected the Boston Celtics to make a bold move on Thursday night during the NBA Draft.
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Instead, the Celtics simply used their sixth-overall pick on former Oklahoma State Cowboys’ point guard Marcus Smart. They then used the 17th-overall pick, which they acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in the deal that sent big man Kevin Garnett, swingman Paul Pierce and guard Jason Terry to the Nets, on former Kentucky Wildcats’ swingman James Young.
The plan, at least for the moment, seems to be to build around young talent, like those two picks, last year’s pick, big man Kelly Olynyk and their first round selection from 2012, big man Jared Sullinger.
Another young player that will likely be a factor in the Celtics’ future plans is guard Avery Bradley, who has been with the Celtics since they selected the former Texas Longhorns’ standout with the 19th-overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft. The Celtics have issued a qualifying offer to Bradley, meaning he will be a restricted free agent Tuesday.
It looks like the Celtics plan to keep Bradley.
“Avery’s a big part of our future,” Celtics’ president Danny Ainge said via Scott Souza of The Metro West Daily News. “I think that you, obviously, need three guards who are going to play a significant amount of minutes.
Ainge continued to praise Bradley.
“I think Avery could be a very key player in us winning the championship,” Ainge said. “He does things that other players can’t do. His shooting continues to improve. We have all see in the past his terrific defensive abilities. I think he’s a big part of us.”
The Detroit Pistons are said to be among the teams interested in Bradley.
Bradley put up 14.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 43.8% form the field, 39.5% from beyond the arc and 80.4% from the free throw line.