The Celtics dropped a cool $32 million on Avery Bradley back in 2014, locking him down for four years, fully guaranteed, with no options. This was a guy they drafted 19th overall in 2010 after his time at the University of Texas, and he stuck around with the team until the final year of that very contract.
Bradley's Big Bucks and Bigger Exit
Bradley was a fixture for Boston for a good run, averaging 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He was one of those last guys from an earlier era of contention, you know? But then came the summer of 2017, and everything changed. Gordon Hayward, the All-Star forward from Utah, signed with the team, and that move forced Boston's hand. Bradley, along with some draft assets, was sent packing to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for small forward Marcus Morris Sr. Talk about a swift pivot after dropping all that guaranteed cash.Transactions: Short Stints and Waivers
July 15 also marks a few other significant moves for the franchise. In 2017, Abdel Nader signed a four-year, $6 million deal after being drafted 58th overall in 2016. He only played one season, logging 3 points and 1.5 rebounds per contest, before getting dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Remember Phil Pressey? Undrafted out of Missouri in 2013, he was waived in 2015 after two seasons where he put up 3.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Demetrius Jackson, a 2016 45th overall pick, got waived today in 2017. He barely got his feet wet, playing just five games for Boston and averaging 2 points a tilt. It just shows how quickly things can change in the league.Celtics Birthdays: From Cousy's Rights to Current Big Men
Beyond the deals and goodbyes, today's also a birthday bonanza for some Celtics players, past and present. Bill Dinwiddie, known with Boston as he was later Rashid Shabazz, was born in 1943. Get this: he was traded to the team for the rights to Bob Cousy! Cousy, who wanted to play for the Cincinnati Royals, where he was coaching, as a publicity stunt. Dinwiddie only played one season, with 4.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Lorenzo Williams, born in 1969, also shares the date. He parlayed some 10-day contracts into a rest-of-season deal in 1993, playing 22 games and pulling down 1.5 points and 2 boards a game. And then there's current Celtics center Luke Kornet, born in 1995. He's on his second stint with Boston and in 30 games across five seasons, he's averaged 4.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. Three different eras, all celebrating today. It's wild to look back at these dates and see the twists and turns. From big money contracts to trades driven by other star signings, to players barely making a ripple, these moments add layers to the Celtics' story. Every decision, every signing, every birthday, it all contributes to the history books, right?This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.