As players like Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins closing in on rookie-scale contract extensions, nothing is imminent between the Celtics and Avery Bradley, GM Danny Ainge tells Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com. Forsberg tweets that the team is likely to revisit a new contract for Bradley next summer, when the 6'2" guard hits free agency.
The Celtics still have several weeks to negotiate with Bradley and agent Mitchell Butler before the October 31st deadline arrives. And just because a new deal appears unlikely at the moment, it doesn't mean the two sides won't continue talking — according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com (via Twitter), Ainge indicated that discussions may take place in October. For now though, it looks like the C's are willing to let Bradley hit the open market, where the club will have the ability to match any rival offers for the restricted free agent.
Bradley, 22, averaged a career-high 9.2 PPG for Boston last season, but saw his shooting percentages slip to .402/.317/.755, while his PER was just 8.8. Of course, Bradley's contributions on defense make him a valuable asset, but the C's would probably like to see a little more offensive production out of the former first-round pick before committing to him long-term.
When Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors examined Bradley as a possible extension candidate earlier this month, he predicted that we're more likely to see a deal next summer than this fall.
Let the dust settle in Avery’s life before approaching him with all of this.
Ridiculous. The C’s need to hang on to him at all costs.
Too early to earn an extension. Needs to prove that he can shoot from the arc.