Celtics draft picks Avery Bradley and Luke Harangody were introduced to the media at a press conference at the Celtics training facility in Waltham Friday. Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge indicated that Bradley will have arthroscopic surgery on his ankle that will knock him out of summer league action, although the guard is expected to be ready to return in August and participate in training camp.

“Right now, I’m just looking to get back and get ready so I can start training camp,” said Bradley, who will wear a zero on his Celtics jersey.

Harangody, who is going with No. 55, is ready to prove himself all over again. “I feel like I paid my dues in college,” he said. “I wasn’t good enough to get into the first round, but I feel like I just have to start all over again and just do the same thing as when I came to college because I wasn’t a big name then.”

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said center Kendrick Perkins may have torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Game 6 of the NBA finals, according to a Boston Herald report. It was initially believed that Perkins tore the medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments, but the extent of the damage won’t be known for sure until Dr. Brian McKeon performs the surgery. That surgery originally was scheduled for Friday but was pushed back to allow the swelling to subside.

Yahoo! Sports reports that the Hornets are listening to offers for the No. 11 pick because they need money. The pick probably would come with the requirement that the acquiring team take on the salary of former Celtic James Posey or Julian Wright. This comes on the heels of rumors that star point guard Chris Paul could be traded if the right deal comes along.

Yahoo! also reports that the Kings have settled on Kentucky big man DeMarcus Cousins with the fifth pick.

The New York Daily News‘ Frank Isola reports that the Knicks, without a first-round pick, are looking to find a way into the first round, with their sights set on Iowa State forward Craig Brackins, New Mexico small forward Darinngton Hobson or Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez.

While Kevin McHale has been mentioned as a possible successor to Doc Rivers should the Celtics coach elect to take some time off, The Los Angeles Times reported that the Hall of Fame big man is one of the names being considered to lead the Clippers.

Here’s what the Times story had to say:

According to league sources who were not authorized to speak publicly, the Clippers are interested in Dallas assistant coach Dwane Casey, former Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro, former Atlanta coach Mike Woodson, former Minnesota executive and Hall of Famer Kevin McHale, and possibly ESPN’s Mark Jackson, who played for the Clippers, and Utah assistant Tyrone Corbin.

McHale, who coached the Timberwolves twice on an interim basis, had informal discussions with the Bulls before they filled their coaching vacancy, and was believed to have interviewed with the Cavaliers.

Del Negro is coming off back-to-back playoff appearances in Chicago, and Woodson the same with the Hawks. Casey was a finalist for the Hawks job recently filled by Larry Drew. More important, he has head-coaching experience in the NBA, having been at Minnesota for a season and a half, and incidentally, followed McHale on one of the interim periods.

According to a report at AOL FanHouse, the Celtics have offered center Kendrick Perkins and their No. 19 draft pick to teams with high lottery picks leading up to Thursday night’s NBA draft. Perkins, who has an expiring contract worth $4.4 million next season, is preparing for surgery after tearing his medial collateral ligament and partially tearing his posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Game 6 of the NBA finals vs. the Lakers.

Danny Ainge (AP)

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge talked with The Big Show Wednesday afternoon about the Celtics offseason, and one of the big topics of discussion was Doc Rivers and his decision whether to stay on as coach or leave for family reasons. Either way, Ainge believes that Rivers should take his time in making his decision.

“I know everybody wants to speculate, but the reality of it is he has not made a decision. I don’t want him personally to make a decision too soon,” Ainge said. “I know that Doc is one of the great competitors around. I think that it’s really tough on him with the loss. He sees the bright side of what the team accomplished, and it accomplished more than he probably thought a few months ago and all the things we just discussed. I know that it’s still really hard. A coach invests so much more than the players in my opinion, and he invests a ton and left it all out on the table. So he needs some time to get himself right before he makes a decision.”

Below is a transcript of some of the other highlights from Ainge’s interview. To hear the entire interview, go to The Big Show audio on demand page.

Have the Phoenix Suns contacted you about their GM job as was reported by Sports Illustrated?

No, they have not. I have a contract, and I love what I’m doing. I love the people I work with. I have a great relationship with the ownership, and we have still things to accomplish here. So that’s just a rumor that has no substance.

Has Doc Rivers told you of his decision?

No, he has not. Doc has not made a decision. I know everybody wants to speculate, but the reality of it is he has not made a decision. I don’t want him personally to make a decision too soon. I know that Doc is one of the great competitors around. I think that it’s really tough on him with the loss. He sees the bright side of what the team accomplished, and it accomplished more than he probably thought a few months ago and all the things we just discussed. I know that it’s still really hard. A coach invests so much more than the players in my opinion, and he invests a ton and left it all out on the table. So he needs some time to get himself right before he makes a decision. Read the rest of this entry »

Tom Thibodeau officially became coach of the Bulls on Wednesday. (AP)

On Wednesday, the Chicago Bulls announced Tom Thibodeau as their new head coach.

“I am very excited to be here and to join the Bulls organization. Chicago is a great city with great fans and a storied history,” Thibodeau said. “I would like to thank Jerry Reinsdorf and [general manager] Gar Forman for presenting me with such a terrific opportunity. We have a talented team with a good nucleus of players, and I am eager to get started.”

Thibodeau served as an assistant coach for the Celtics from 2007-10. He had been drawing interest for head coaching positions since helping lead the C’s to the 2008 championship as an assistant coach. The Celtics repeatedly have credited his emphasis on defense as a key to their success.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome Tom Thibodeau as our new head coach,” Forman said. “As I went through the process to search for the next head coach of the Chicago Bulls, the longer the process went it became apparent that Tom was a perfect fit for the Bulls. He is a great communicator and teacher of the game, and he fits our organizational philosophy from a defensive standpoint. With his experience and knowledge of the NBA, I am confident he will be a great leader for our team.”

The Celtics will look to replace Thibodeau on the sideline this summer.