Oshae Brissett, a free agency wing, must now come to grips with bidding farewell to Boston after just one season, as the Celtics were unable to keep every member of their NBA Finals-winning team.
The Celtics offered the 26-year-old Brissett a two-year contract last offseason that included a player option for 2024–2025. This offseason, Brissett chose to enter the free agency market instead of accepting the option, and he has been patiently waiting for his next NBA opportunity ever since. The Celtics selected Baylor Scheierman from Creighton and Anton Watson from Gonzaga in the 2024 NBA Draft. In the meantime, Boston’s front office was busy filling in all the voids left by departures and possible openings. Through free agency, the team signed Lonnie Walker IV to an Exhibit 10 contract. That has made it less likely that Brissett will go back to Boston quickly.
In his most recent “BrissyTV” YouTube video, Brissett expressed that he was “getting a little sad” while strolling around Newbury Street in Boston. “Because who knows? We’re right here, like I mentioned, but the door isn’t closed. The idea of not returning is absurd, don’t you think so? … I simply wanted to let you know so I could get it off my chest. I love you, Boston, the city of Boston, once more. I cherish you.”
Although Brissett didn’t have many chances to establish a reliable role off Boston’s bench, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla made use of the five-year veteran whenever he could. Through 55 games, Brissett averaged 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 27.3% from 3-point range and 44.4% from the field in 11.5 minutes of play. As a member of the team’s “stay ready” group, he struggled to play behind role players like Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Al Horford. His greatest scoring effort came on January 11 against the Milwaukee Bucks (13 points).
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The starting lineup of the team, which consists of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White, was re-signed by Boston’s ownership to intricate financial contracts for $930 million, making any additional spending risky.
Though Brissett isn’t quite ready to bid Boston farewell for good, considering his positive outlook and the title ring the Celtics will shortly provide, it’s more likely than not that Brissett would be better off considering offers from other teams. If this is Brissett’s final season wearing a Celtics uniform, it’s the finest way to say goodbye to the team. The Syracuse product concluded Year 1 with the Celtics standing atop the NBA postseason mountain among Boston teammates.
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