NBA Rumors: Avery Bradley Expected to Be Ready for Boston Celtics Training Camp

According to ESPNBoston's Chris Forsberg, guard Avery Bradley, who was expected to be out until December while nursing a surgically repaired shoulder, may be ready for the beginning of the 2012-2013 season.

This comes as good news, as the Celtics would lack depth at the guard spot with Bradley's injury and Ray Allen's exodus to the Miami Heat. Forsberg writes:

"Without Allen, and Boston scrambling to add depth now at the shooting guard position, an extended Bradley absence might have put the Celtics in a tough spot.

But a league source indicated that Bradley's rehab from surgery thus far has 'looked really good,' and only a future setback would likely detour that original target date of being back on the floor for camp."

Though this is encouraging for the Celtics, GM Danny Ainge will undoubtedly have a contingency in place if Bradley is a no-go come October. Expect Ainge to attempt to use the team's bi-annual exception ($1.95 million) to retain swingman Mickael Pietrus.

Since the Celtics will be over the salary cap, they will not be able to sign Pietrus for more than the bi-annual exception because they don't have Bird rights on him. The exception will only be available if the Celtics can stay below the $74 million luxury tax apron.

Pietrus is reported to be drawing interest from multiple teams, and though the charismatic swingman has expressed his desire to remain in Boston, his return is not imminent, according to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald. Marquis Daniels and Sasha Pavlovic are also possible depth signings, but neither one of them is likely to be retained.

The Celtics definitely need Bradley in the lineup sooner rather than later. Even with former Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Terry's ability to step in as the Celtics starting 2-guard, Bradley's stellar perimeter defense and strategic basket cuts would be sorely missed.