After spending the last season with the Boston Celtics, forward Oshae Brissett could find himself a new home this summer. According to Spotrac’s Keith Smith, Brissett declined his $2.5 million player option for the 2024-25 season and is now an unrestricted free agent. Although Brissett could re-sign with the team in the offseason, it is unlikely due to Boston’s salary cap situation.
The Celtics signed Brissett last summer after the forward spent three seasons with the Indiana Pacers. In his first season with the Celtics, the 26-year-old averaged 3.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Additionally, Brissett shot 44.4% from the field and 27.3% from beyond the arc. En route to his first career NBA championship, Brissett recorded seven points, three rebounds, and one block in Boston’s Game 4 NBA Finals loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Brissett is also a part of Team Canada’s preliminary roster for the upcoming Olympics.
Boston Celtics Free Agent Decides on Player Option
Oshae Brissett Brought Great Energy to the Celtics
Brissett’s stat sheet for the 2023-24 season was not too impressive. However, that does not mean he did not make an impact on the team. Brissett regularly entered games to give the Celtics a boost on both sides of the floor. His energy, especially on the boards, made him a useful player anytime his number was called. Additionally, he provided good depth for the Celtics all season. He only started one game all season and was a regular part of the rotation for much of the regular season.
In January, head coach Joe Mazzulla talked about his “trust” in Brissett.
“He’s continuing to earn trust,” C’s coach Joe Mazzula said. “I think he’s played really well. It started with the Miami game the third or fourth game of the year when he came in and changed the energy of the game. So he’s been doing that, he’s picking up matchups in our defensive system much better, and I trust him completely. So every guy we put in the game we have a level of trust in and he’s in that boat too. We went to him last night with two bigs being out and everyone on that roster I trust.”
If Brissett does wind up signing elsewhere, the Celtics will surely miss his presence on the team. However, Brissett’s departure could open the door for Jordan Walsh, who Boston got during the 2023 NBA Draft.
Boston’s Other Free Agents Besides Oshae Brissett
In addition to Brissett, the Celtics have other free agents to make a decision on this summer. Center Luke Kornet, forward Svi Mykhailiuk, and big man Xavier Tillman are all unrestricted free agents this summer. Additionally, guard JD Davison, forward Sam Hauser, forward Drew Peterson, and center Neemias Queta are all restricted free agents. The Celtics only have Bird rights on Hauser, Kornet, and Tillman. Additionally, the team has Early Bird rights on Davison.
After ending the last season as NBA champions for the first time in 16 years, it is likely GM Brad Stevens will attempt to keep as much of the roster together as possible.
