Celtics Rumors: Courtney Lee Would Be Huge Upgrade from Avery Bradley for Boston

With Ray Allen taking his talents to South Beach, the Boston Celtics are searching for a new shooting guard of the future, one who can ease the pain of losing the sharp-shooter who helped bring a title back to Boston. 

Avery Bradley has a chance to be that guy, but his shoulder injury has forced the Celtics to look for a little more depth at the position. 

Now, according to the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn, the C's and free-agent shooting guard Courtney Lee have mutual interest in each other. 

This is great news for Boston as Lee would be an immediate upgrade over Bradley. 

Although the incumbent shooting guard is already an elite perimeter defender and a solid option when he's cutting without the ball in his hands, the Celtics need experienced players who can help them win another title right now. 

Even though we say it every year, it remains true. The Celtics' title window is closing. It may be closing at a slow pace, but given the advancing years of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and the rise of other teams in the Eastern Conference, it is closing. 

While Bradley has high upside, Lee does as well and he's better at the moment. The former Houston Rocket isn't the elite defender that Bradley is, but his offensive is vastly superior and he's well above average on that less glamorous side of the court on which Bradley excels. 

With the defensive presences of Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and the other players on the Celtic roster, Boston needs to be looking for an offensive presence who can help spread the floor. 

Both shooting guards shot slightly over 40 percent from downtown last season, but Bradley did so on 0.7 attempts per game, while Lee launched up 4.4 shots per contest for the Rockets. It's the latter who can help mitigate the damage done by Allen's departure. 

Moreover, Lee fits in perfectly with the Celtics' system. He's an athlete and jump-shooter first and foremost, but generally likes to avoid contact and doesn't play remarkably well when he's asked to create his own shot. Playing with a wonderful facilitator like Rajon Rondo would do wonders for his game. 

If the Celtics want to stay in the same stratosphere as the elite teams in the East, they need to add this 26-year-old shooting guard.