The Celtics weren’t able to retain everyone from the team’s NBA Finals-winning roster, which has now left free agent wing Oshae Brissett coming to terms with saying goodbye to the city of Boston after just a single season.
Brissett, 26, signed a two-year deal with the Celtics last offseason which included a player option for 2024-25. Brissett declined the option this offseason and opted to join the free agency market where he’s patiently remained waiting for his next NBA opportunity. Meanwhile, Boston’s front office remained busy in replacing every and all departures and potential gaping holes both through the 2024 NBA Draft — the Celtics selected Baylor Scheierman from Creighton and Anton Watson from Gonzaga — and via free agency — Boston signed Lonnie Walker IV to an Exhibit 10 contract. That’s diminished Brissett’s chance of returning to Boston rapidly.
“Walking around the streets of Newbury Street (in) Boston, getting a little sad,” Brissett said on his latest “BrissyTV” YouTube vlog. “Cause who knows? Like I said, (the) door’s not closed but we’re right here. The thought of not coming back is crazy, you feel me? … I just thought I’d get it off my chest to let you know. Boston, the city of Boston, again, I adore you. I love you.”
There weren’t many opportunities for Brissett to carve out a stable role off Boston’s bench, but Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla utilized the five-year veteran whenever possible. Brissett averaged 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 44.4% from the field and 27.3% from 3-point range in 11.5 minutes through 55 games. His highest-scoring performance came against the Milwaukee Bucks (13 points) on Jan. 11, speaking volumes to the difficulty of playing behind role players like Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Al Horford as a member of the team’s “stay ready” crew.
Boston’s ownership re-signed the team’s starting lineup of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White to a financially-complexing $930 million in extensions, making any other form of spending dicey.
Granted, Brissett isn’t 100% ready to say goodbye once and for all but even with an optimistic state of mind and a championship ring soon to be delivered by the Celtics, it’s more likely than not that weighing offers outside of Boston would be Brissett’s best bet. The Syracuse product finished Year 1 with the Celtics standing atop the NBA’s postseason mountain alongside Boston teammates, which if the end of Brissett in a Celtics uniform, is the best possible way to bid farewell to the franchise.
