WALTHAM, Mass. – Boston Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge said Friday that Avery Bradley, the team’s top draft pick, will have a “scope” on his left ankle and be sidelined 6 to 8 weeks.

Bradley was selected in the first round, 19th overall, in the NBA draft Thursday night and was introduced by the Celtics, along with their second-round pick, Luke Harangody.

The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Bradley entered the draft after his freshman year in Texas. He sprained his left ankle June 13 during workouts.

Ainge said Bradley will miss summer league play but is expected to be ready for training camp in the fall.

Even on their first day with the Celtics, Bradley and Harangody were reminded about the team’s hunger for a championship.

They walked into the team’s practice facility and saw an empty white banner on a corner wall and all the clocks and scoreboards with the number “18” still illuminated, signifying the team’s search for its 18th NBA title, which ended in a loss against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA finals just over a week ago.

Bradley and Harangody, a forward selected in the second round with the 52nd pick, are eager to meet their new teammates and be a part of the Celtics’ tradition.

“Of course I watched the NBA finals,” Bradley said after holding up a green Celtics jersey with a zero on the back. “I felt like I was blessed to get a chance to play for a coaching staff like this and an organization that has a tradition of winning like they do here.

“I just feel like they’re a winning team, have each other’s backs and work hard. Those are the kinds of things I want to do as a player. I get a chance to play for one of the best franchises in NBA history.”

The early plan for Bradley seems to be for him to be a backup for point guard Rajon Rondo. But the Celtics also may be looking at Bradley as a shooting guard to supply scoring off the bench.

“Avery was a top high school player and terrific freshman in the country,” Ainge said.

Harangody is an undersized big man, somewhat like Glen Davis.

“I think that he was a great player in college. He had dominant games in the Big East at Notre Dame,” Ainge said. “He is a guy that’s proven and has had success.”

Harangody was given No. 55.

Ainge hopes the pair can add depth to an aging roster.

“I think these guys are very capable of fitting into any role,” he said.

 

CAVALIERS: Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw was given permission to interview with Cleveland about its coaching vacancy.

 

BOBCATS: Charlotte made a one-year, $6.2 million qualifying offer to power forward Tyrus Thomas, making him a restricted free agent.