NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are just about done making moves in preparation for the next NBA season, but that doesn't mean that the rumor mill has stopped churning in Beantown. 

What has it spit out lately?

Avery Bradley Might Be Out For a While

There's a solid chance that last year's breakout shooting guard might not be ready for training camp this offseason as he recovers from surgery on both shoulders. In fact, there's a possibility that Avery Bradley misses a significant amount of action during the regular season.

Boston general manager Danny Ainge is unsure whether Bradley will be able to return in even a month, as told to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com: 

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"We know there's a possibility that Avery won't be able to play the first month of the season," Danny Ainge, Boston's president of basketball operations, told CSNNE.com. "So we have to be prepared for that. You never know how these things play out; will it be a month? Or two months? I don't think it'll be much longer than that, or he could be back sooner. You try to build a roster where you can get by with any injury, that can sustain you through a short period of time."

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The Celtics should allow Bradley to fully heal before letting him step back on the court. Because Ainge did indeed build his roster to mitigate the effect of injuries, the shooting guard position is still going to be strong for Boston. 

New acquisitions Jason Terry and Courtney Lee are more than capable of picking up the slack left behind by Bradley's shoulders. In fact, they may push him to the bench for the foreseeable future, even when the defensive ace is healthy. 

Mickael Pietrus is as Good as Gone

Even though Mickael Pietrus initially seemed likely to return to the Celtics, it's becoming increasingly clear that he'll be playing ball elsewhere for the 2012-13 season and beyond. 

According to Pietrus' agent—as relayed by the Boston Herald's Mark Murphy—the Celtics have yet to contact their former small forward:

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“We haven’t heard from (the Celtics), so we’ll move on,” Pietrus’ agent Bill McKandless said. “I’m not surprised. If we hear from them, Mike will be thrilled, and if not then I guess that’s life in the big city.”

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Boston seems as though its going to choose not to use the bi-annual exception after adding Jason Collins and Jamar Smith, who was brought up off the summer league roster with a non-guaranteed contract. 

That means that the Celtics won't be looking at either Pietrus or any other remaining free agents. 

Opening Matchup with Miami Heat

Now that the NBA schedule for the 2012-13 season has been officially released, Boston fans can start gearing up for a big showdown with the Miami Heat to open the campaign. 

The game at South Beach will be the latest chapter in what's becoming one of the NBA's premier rivalries. 

Now that Ray Allen has jumped shipped and signed with the Miami Heat, more fuel is getting added to the fire. Emotions will be running high when the sharpshooter makes his Miami debut against the team he helped win a championship. 

Allen wrote the following in the USA Today (via Scott Gleeson): 

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Dear Celtics fans,

For the past five years, my family and I took great pride in calling Boston home. We have loved living in this city, being members of the Celtics family and being part of your community. These memories will be cherished forever.

From my heart, THANK YOU Boston for this incredible journey.

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So, will C's fans take Allen's gratitude as heartfelt or not? Will they forgive him when he plays against their team? 

We'll find out on October 30, but the game is only getting more and more appealing.