The Celtics' first signing after free agency started eight days ago was Oshae Brissett. He comes to Boston after spending the first three years of his career with the Pacers.
The six-foot-seven forward averaged 6.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 16.7 minutes of floor time last season. When he got more minutes and touches in 2021-22, logging 23.3 minutes per contest, he produced 9.1 points per game and converted 35 percent of his 3.5 shots from beyond the arc.
And while he's inconsistent finishing at the rim, the Celtics will appreciate what Brissett brings as a cutter who stays active without the ball.
The 25-year-old, who's best suited to defend the four spot, is also a gritty player, something Boston needs after losing Marcus Smart and Grant Williams.
While attending the Celtics' Summer League game against the Heat on Saturday, a 99-88 loss, the former Syracuse Orangeman conveyed the following about what he wants to bring to his new team.
"Energy, excitement; I feel like last year, watching them, they always have that obviously, playing at the Garden, it's different, but they have that with the players. I feel like I can bring that in a different way, coming in off the bench, starting, whatever it is, whatever the team needs me to do. Bring that energy and bring that heart to the team."
And while he wasn't without an NBA home for long, he shared about his experience, "I was really excited for one; this was my first time, obviously, being a free agent, so to get a call from an organization like this, Brad (Stevens) and Joe (Mazzulla) on the phone, really let me know that they really appreciate me and respect me as a player, and I feel like it's a great relationship that I can build with them."
After signing with Boston, Brissett said he received texts from Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, and Derrick White. He's also friendly with Malcolm Brogdon, who he played with in Indiana.
The former says he's joining his new teammates with "no ego. I have nothing to prove, really. I just want to go win, and whatever these guys want me to do, do it."
Regarding fitting in with the Celtics' All-NBA duo, Tatum and Jaylen Brown, provided the latter's still in Boston, Brissett stated, "They've got the rock, they can do what they want, I'm gonna go crash and rebound, and I feel like I've got the easy job. That's what they do. And I'm excited to play with them. Excited to watch. Excited to be a part of the team and be out there and show what I can do as well."
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