Avery Bradley has switched gears to retirement

Bradley played seven seasons with the Celtics before being traded to the Pistons in 2017 in the deal that netted Marcus Morris. Jayson Tatum quickly took Bradley’s No. 0, a number not likely to be worn again in Boston, and the Celtics moved forward.

Bradley played with six teams over a five-year period before officially retiring after the 2021-22 season. But with a bright basketball mind and still relatively young, Bradley wanted to stay close to the game.

“First, it’s a blessing,” he said. “Second, it’s just been fun. It’s good to have the opportunity to learn the game from this perspective. I’ve been able to learn so much in a short period of time and I’ve enjoyed the experience.”

Bradley was one of the league’s top backcourt defenders in his prime and turned himself into a top reserve during his later years. When play resumed in the NBA Bubble during the 2019-20 season, Bradley opted out of joining the Lakers to be with his ill son. He still received a championship ring.

After stints with the Heat and Rockets, Bradley spent his final season with the Lakers, playing in 62 games before deciding to retire. It was a solid 12-year career but Bradley said he knew it was time to stop grinding for roster spots and minimal chances.

“I’ve been playing for life after,” he said. “I don’t think there was one moment where I decided. I kind of was going with the flow of life and opportunities just opened up.”

Bradley arrived in Boston when the Big Three — Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen — were aging and they didn’t have enough to return to the NBA Finals after the 2009-10 season. But he spent most of his career in Boston, helped them get back to the Eastern Conference finals in 2017, and consoled Isaiah Thomas when his lost his sister during that playoff run. Garnett recently told a story on social media of Bradley coming back from a stint with G-League Maine determined not to go back, blocking a Kendrick Perkins dunk attempt at the rim during a practice.

“Boston is always going to still be home for me regardless of anything,” he said. “When they won, as you can see, Paul feels like he won the championship. I think we all kind of feel that way like we’re a part of it and we’re just happy for them.”

Bradley’s goal is to become a general manager but that requires a process. He was observing games at Las Vegas Summer League, taking notes and getting familiar with front office work. The Jazz are in the midst of a rebuild.

“I call myself the intern in the room at all times,” he said. “I’m just trying to learn as much as possible. I’ve been there for three or four months. The ultimate goal is to be a GM, president, whatever. I’m just taking it one day at a time, even if I’m led to a (coaching) role on the floor. Whatever it is, I’m going to prepare for it.”

Bradley had a plethora of emotions after finally deciding to retire. Inasmuch as 2010 doesn’t seem like that long ago, only two players — Paul George and Gordon Hayward — are still active from that draft class. Landry Fields, a second-round pick of the Knicks, is now a general manager. Reality had set in about moving on for Bradley.

“You’re going through all those different emotions,” he said. “ I’m just thankful for the opportunity that I had to be able to play for so many good organizations and then being with one in my post career and a new part of my game. I’m happy.”

Sensation on the court

Wembanyama, France an intriguing story

One of the more intriguing stories coming out of the Paris Olympics is the debut of French center Victor Wembanyama, the NBA sensation who won the Rookie of the Year Award with the Spurs. Wembanyama gives Team France another imposing figure because the 7-foot-4-inch Wembanyama moves 7-1 Rudy Gobert to power forward.

And he’s a sensation in his home country, the latest superstar, and there will be pressure on him and Team France to perform in the basketball tournament.

“Practically I see it as any other sporting experience, but even more demanding,” he said. “Mentally there is a lot of excitement. It’s hard for me to believe this is really the Olympic Games. Of course, I’m experiencing it differently than all of the other years I watched the Olympics. It’s still a dream.”

France lost its final exhibition game to Australia, a potential wake-up call that the tournament will be competitive.

“There are good lessons we’re taking from our preparation because we all know it’s better to get into trouble before, and to be ready after. We’re on the right track because the energy in our group as a whole — staff and players — is incredible,” he said. “The will to do. I’ve never seen so much of it before in other teams. Our confidence is still very high. We know the road is not going to be smooth. There will be difficulties.”

Wembanyama is not getting the full Olympic experience. Because the basketball Group stages are being played in Lille, 138 miles north of Paris, the French team was unable to participate in the Opening Ceremony because it played the next afternoon.

“We would all, especially the young players, like to get a taste of the purely Olympic experience, to take part in the Opening Ceremony and be at the Village,” he said. “But I think it’s the right choice to stay (in Lille), because it’s certain conditions here are more optimal for performance, even if we still wonder what it would have been like (in Paris).”

Wembanyama handled his rookie season masterfully and his mentality heading into his first Olympic experience is no different. Wembanyama is mature beyond his 20 years and appears ready to lead France as he did with the Spurs.

“It’s not really new on the sporting level,” he said. “In terms of responsibility, it’s different because we’re representing France. We are a group that has to get to know each other quickly. Certain players I’ve never played with before. So there is a responsibility in addition to living up to the expectations of Team France. It’s not a scary thing. It’s more exciting than scary.”

Getting his shot

Celtics gave Harper Jr. an opportunity

The Celtics invited former Rutgers standout Ron Harper Jr. to training camp. He’s the son of the NBA standout who won championships with the Bulls and Lakers.

Harper Jr., a 6-4 swingman, is trying to make his own way in the NBA. He enjoyed a solid career for the Scarlet Knights and signed a two-way contract with the Raptors before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury during the G-League season. The Raptors waived Harper following the injury and the Celtics will give him a chance to either make the roster or play on their G-League team in Maine.

“It’s just means a lot getting an opportunity from the best team in the NBA,” he said. “They just came off winning a championship and they want me here in the organization to see what I can do and it’s a great opportunity. It’s a great chance and I’m very grateful for it.”

Harper went undrafted in 2022 and signed a two-way deal with the Raptors. He played nine NBA games as a rookie and then one last season before his injury.

“I was feeling real good before the injury,” he said. “I was going through some shoulder stuff and ended up tearing my labrum, having surgery in December and wasn’t really cleared to play until June. I’m still trying to get into the flow of things. It’s been a long process. It’s the longest time I’ve ever gone without playing basketball since I started hooping. To get back into the flow is real important but I feel like I’m doing a good job.”

Harper had his share of moments during the Las Vegas Summer League but the goal was returning to premium shape and making sure he’s prepared for his training camp opportunity. The Celtics have one roster spot open and a two-way slot. That slot is expected to go to Anton Watson, the rookie second-round pick who played well in Las Vegas. Harper’s best-case scenario is a chance to play considerable minutes in Maine and boost his NBA stock.

“I couldn’t really shoot for three or four months but as soon as I got back into the gym the jump shot felt really good, it felt way better than before I got hurt,” he said. “Just getting back into finding that shot, finding that flow.”

Harper said watching his father win titles as a gritty player, a defender who did the little things, set an example for his path.

“One thing about getting to the NBA is that you’re the guy at some point of your career,” he said. “My father was a glue guy back in his day. You know what (the team) is looking for. You know how to help the star players. You know how to impact the game and make winning plays.”

Star power

WNBA reveling in record-breaking season

The WNBA has had a record-breaking season with ratings, increased interest, and stellar star power. One of the reasons is rookie Caitlin Clark, who is in an intriguing Rookie of the Year race with Chicago’s Angel Reese.

Clark and Reese were members of the WNBA All-Star Team that beat Team USA in the All-Star Game last week in Phoenix and they have emerged as the benchmark players for a league brimming with talent.

“I’ve been so pleased with Caitlin and all of our rookies,” commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “If you look back in history, a lot of our rookies don’t immediately start. It takes them either a year or a couple of years, or certainly they don’t all start off the bat. So many of this rookie class, they’re so strong, and they’re performing at the highest level. You guys are all writing about it, which we love.”

After some controversy regarding the treatment of and attention to Clark and questions as to whether Reese was All-Star caliber, both have flourished and are bona fide stars. Reese said she looks forward to being teammates with Clark at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“Really pleased with how that’s working out,” Engelbert said. “Again, the number of new fans we’re able to bring into this league is exponential from my expectations of what we were going to do and provide them.”

The presence of Clark, Reese and mainstays such as A’Ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu have boosted television coverage and interest. The WNBA has never been in a better place, and expansion is coming with Golden State in 2025 and Toronto in 2026.

“As we look at on all four of our top networks we’re averaging over 1 million, including ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, CBS,” Engelbert said. “On ION we’ve had several over-million viewer games on Friday nights, and even on the non-million viewers that we’re pulling in huge, huge triple-digital increases with that appointment viewing.

“I think fans are finally knowing where to find us. I think this rookie class has brought a lot of attention and is lifting all of our games and all of our players.”

The 2024 Paris Olympics will emerge as a WNBA showcase with not all 12 Team USA members playing in the league but 19 other current WNBA players from other countries. This is a definite opportunity to grow the women’s game and that is not lost on Engelbert.

“Making the sport grow everywhere is part of our mission, I believe,” she said. “We know that young women, teenagers, females drop out of organized youth sports at alarming rates compared to their male counterparts. We need girls to stay in sport.

“We know how important it is for us to grow the game globally. That’s why globalization, if you think about media deals, if you think about expansion, you think about other things we have on our agenda, globalization of the game is it, and working with FIBA and other federations to make sure that we’re providing that.”

The league also will expand its schedule to 44 games, offering more television revenue opportunities and potentially extending the season into October, which leads into the NBA season.

“As far as the number of games we play, under our current collective bargaining agreement, we can play up to 44 games. So we’re looking at the footprint for next year,” she said. “One of the reasons we’re looking at that footprint so hard is we don’t have an international competition like the FIBA World Cup or the Olympics next year, so we’ll be able to look at our footprint without any interruption or break like we’re breaking this year.

“Yeah, we’re certainly looking at play the max games up to 44. Also, looking at playoffs and what we can do with our playoffs. So we’ll be back to you on some of the decisions around that that we’re working through with our teams and our owners.”

Layups

Turner Sports surprisingly matched Amazon’s offer for broadcast rights to the NBA but the league declined the package, saying in a release that it did not match the conditions of the Amazon offer, then officially signing an 11-year contract with the stream service. TNT’s exclusion could mean the end of the popular “Inside the NBA” show after next season. Turner Sports filed a lawsuit against the NBA on Friday … The Hornets waived the much-traveled Reggie Jackson, the former BC standout, and he’s expected to sign with the 76ers. Jackson was traded by the Nuggets in a cost-cutting move and the Hornets never had any intention of keeping Jackson during their rebuild. Jackson gives the 76ers another ball handler after they re-signed veteran Kyle Lowry to join Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt. Jackson played in all 82 games last year for the Nuggets … Russell Westbrook has taken a $1.7 million pay cut of his $4 million salary to facilitate a contract buyout to get to the Nuggets. The Clippers traded Westbrook to the Jazz, the second time in two years Westbrook has been traded to Utah for a salary dump. Westbrook should take the role of Jackson as the Nuggets’ lead point guard along with Jamal Murray and can pair with Murray when he moves to shooting guard. After a strong season with the Clippers last season, Westbrook opted into his contract at $4 million, which surprised the club. It’s unclear why the Clippers wanted to part ways with Westbrook but they sought to trade him the moment he opted in. They decided on former lottery pick Kris Dunn to become their point guard as they move forward with a reshaped roster with the departure of Paul George … Speaking of the Clippers, owner Steve Ballmer revealed a feature at the new Intuit Arena that will give T-shirts to all fans sitting in the upper level during the T-shirt tosses. One of the most distressing aspects of these giveaways in arenas around the league is those in those higher levels are many times left out because the throwers can only reach as high as the upper first level. Ballmer has solved that problem, making sure each fan who buys a ticket has a legitimate shot at a T-shirt. TD Garden should take note.

Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.