Former Celtics guard joins Danny Ainge, Jazz front office (report)

Former Celtics guard Avery Bradley has been around the Jazz organization for months in an unofficial capacity. Now, he’s getting a new role as vice president of player development in Danny Ainge’s front office, according to the Deserter News.

Bradley has been more visible on recent road trips, per the Deserter News, traveling with the team, so it’s no surprise the 12-year NBA veteran has his new role with the team.

Bradley, 33, played in the NBA from 2010-22. He played the first seven years of his career with the Celtics from 2010-17 after getting drafted 19th overall in 2010. He developed into a stout two-way player as his perimeter defense led to two All-Defensive team selections in 2013 and 2016.

Now, Bradley gets to see another side of the NBA from the front office side. He last appeared in an NBA game with the Lakers during the 2021-22 season. He also got a title with Los Angeles in the bubble in 2020, though he opted out of playing during the COVID-19 pandemic. But he still got a ring for being part of the organization during the regular season.

The Bradley and Ainge connection is no surprise considering the Boston ties. Ainge is currently the CEO of basketball operations for the Jazz, and he’s helped out other former Celtics. Ainge stepped down as president of basketball operations in Boston in 2021.

“Avery Bradley is somebody that I’ve developed a relationship with, and he obviously played for Danny. He’s somebody that wanted to come spend some time and see what we’ve got going on,” Jazz coach Will Hardy told the Deserter News a few months ago. “It’s good to have him in the gym hanging out with the guys and hanging out with the coaching staff.”