Bradshaw, who had an outstanding season for the Nuggets last season averaging 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds, told the Southland Times the franchise "wasn't well run" and he was pleased to sign with the Southland Sharks.
Bradshaw pointed the finger at Basketball Otago general manager Markham Brown, and Nuggets coach Alf Arlidge also came in for a spray with Bradshaw questioning his coaching ability.
However, when the 2.05m centre read his comments in print he thought they appeared more spiteful than he had intended.
His main complaint was with Brown, he told the Otago Daily Times when contacted for comment.
Bradshaw believed he had a verbal agreement to return to the Nuggets this season and that Brown had not honoured that agreement.
"After the season I was contacted nearly every day by Markham," Bradshaw said.
"We had a verbal agreement and I was just waiting for the contract. I was definitely under the impression I was coming back and that it was concrete.
But then he calls me and says, 'We've decided to go in a different direction'.
"I had turned down deals in Spain and he knew that because I sent him all the messages. So here I am turing down these deals because I want to stay in New Zealand and be with my family ... and for him to do that to me, it was quite hurtful, to be honest.
"To lead me on like that wasn't very professional and that is what I meant by it being a poorly run organisation."
Brown, for his part, dealt with the personal criticism with humility.
"We're a bit disappointed that it has come out in the paper and how that reflects on a lot of things," he said.
"But at the end of the day we felt we looked after Craig and his partner really well and honoured their contract.
"It was a very difficult decision to make not to get Craig back and it wasn't an easy phone call to make."
As for whether there was a verbal contract, Brown agreed there had been ongoing communication but an agreement had not been reached.
"We definitely indicated that we were looking to get him back and we had a lot of communication post the season, but it wasn't ever finalised."
Bradshaw was not backing down from critical remarks he made about Arlidge's coaching.
However, he did soften his tone.
"To be honest, I actually vouched for Alfie in the end-of-season meetings I had with Markham," Bradshaw said.
"I said he is probably not capable of coaching and he definitely needs some help, but I was willing to work with him.""We have every confidence in Alf," Brown said when asked for a response to Bradshaw's comments.
"We wouldn't have re-employed him if we didn't have that confidence in him. I think he is definitely developing as a coach ... and we all have to do the yards."
Arlidge wanted to stay out of the dispute.
"Everyone has got their opinion," he said.
"I don't really want to comment other than to say it won't affect the relationship I have with Craig."
Bradshaw has moved on from the disappointment, too. He has become a father this year, started a business and is looking forward to playing for the Southland Sharks.
Former Otago Nuggets basketballer Dan Ryan has been suspended from all sport for two years after testing positive for D-methamphetamine and D-amphetamine.
Ryan tested positive to the prohibited substances after playing for the Waikato Pistons in this year's National Basketball League semifinal.
