Avery Bradley to Celtics: Latest Contract Details, Analysis and Reaction

Updates from Tuesday, July 15

The Boston Celtics released a statement on the re-signing of Avery Bradley:

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The Boston Celtics announced today that they have re-signed guard Avery Bradley to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We see Avery as a key part of our chase of Banner 18,” said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations. "He keeps getting better and is still far from reaching his ceiling. We're ecstatic to have him back."

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Original Text:

Fresh off a career year in his fourth season as a pro, Avery Bradley has reportedly cashed in on a long-term deal with the Boston Celtics.

Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald broke the news of the agreement on Wednesday:

Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders provided more info:

Baxter Holmes of The Boston Globe shared contract details:

Josh Eberley of Dime Magazine weighs in on the deal:

The No. 19 overall pick in 2010 out of Texas, Bradley spent his first four seasons in Boston and posted career-high averages of 14.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last year, while shooting 43.8 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from beyond the arc and a career-best 80.4 percent from the charity stripe.

Bradley took a major risk before the 2013-14 season by reportedly turning down a four-year, $24 million extension offer, according to Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling. The diminutive 2-guard wanted a contract in the neighborhood of $8 million per year, Zwerling reported. 

Yet, Bradley did admit that Boston was his first locale of choice as a free agent, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England.

"Of course this is where I want to be," Bradley said, per Blakely. "I've been in Boston for four years and I love it; I love the fans, the front office. I definitely want to be back."

The only major blemish that may have hurt Bradley's stock on the market is durability. While his career-best averages were a plus, he appeared in just 60 games this past season, marking only the second time in his injury-riddled career that he appeared in at least 60 contests.

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

Still, the fact remains that Bradley, formerly pigeonholed as a defensive stalwart (not a bad thing), took his game to new heights offensively and is currently one of the most intriguing 2-guards in the NBA thanks to his untapped potential.

While a bit short for the 2-role at 6'2" and 180 pounds, Bradley's ability to defend opposing point guards and score at a somewhat consistent pace suggest brighter things in his future, provided he can stay on the court for longer stretches of time.

Now that the market has dictated his asking price, Bradley may very well wind up a gem of the 2014 free-agency class when looking back in a few years' time.