The Boston Celtics have extended a $3.6 million dollar qualifying offer to guard Avery Bradley, making him a restricted costless-agent. Bradley had his best season in Celtic green, averaging 14.9 points per game, along with four rebounds. The 23-year-old has been extremely injury prone however, missing 22 games in the 2013-2014 season alone.
Bradley plays his best off the ball, next to Rajon Rondo. The two make a compelling defensive unit, and with the additions of Marcus Smart and James Young, that backcourt could become even more power-packed. Bradley believes he is worth over $7 million a year, but given his injury history, it's hard to see the Celtics dishing out that type of cash.
Before he was even drafted, Bradley had to have surgery due to a chipped bone in his ankle. He sat out 31 games after having double-shoulder surgery in 2012-2013, and with an array of injuries this past season, Bradley can be very risky.
However, Bradley remains one of the top defenders in the NBA and at the young age of 23, there's still so much he's capable of. The Celtics would love to retain Bradley, and look their backcourt grow over this next season. With players such as Rondo, Smart, Bradley, Young and even Phil Pressey, the Celtics could perhaps have the most annoying backcourt in the NBA.
When asked if a multi-pronged guard attack would be effective, Danny Ainge, Celtics president of basketball operations, was upbeat and optimistic.
"I see those guys being able to play very well together and complement each other," Ainge said.
Keeping Bradley is important to the Celtics future, according to Ainge.
"I think Avery can be a very key player in us winning the championship," Ainge told reporters during a Monday press conference. "He does things that other players can't do and his shooting has improved. We've all seen in the past his terrific defensive abilities. I think Avery's a big part of this."
Bradley wants to stay, and the Celtics would love to have him. The only hang-up is money. Bradley's story is only the first chapter of what is sure to be a wild off-season for the C's.