The Celtics made a free agent signing on Friday, adding 6’7” wing Oshae Brissett to Boston on a minimum deal.
Karalis’ analysis: A nice signing, especially for the minimum, to get a 25-year-old wing who has shown some flashes but has largely been inconsistent. You might remember Brissett from Boston’s blowout loss in Indiana when the Pacers went ballistic from 3 two seasons ago, including a career-best 6-9 night from Brissett.
If he can find a more consistent jump shot (his 3-point shooting has dropped from 42.3%, to 35%, to 31% over his last three seasons), then he might find a bigger role in Boston. Otherwise, he’ll be a guy who can lessen the workload for everyone during the regular season and then have a great seat for playoff games.
Honestly, a 25-year-old win with promise at the minimum is a nice get. He has good size and a good motor. He’ll be a solid contributor with the possibility of blossoming into something more.
Here are some other highlights from Day 1 of free agency, along with my thoughts:
GUYS WHO LEFT
Fred VanVleet to Houston, 3 years/$130 million: Houston smartly pivoted from James Harden to get the tougher VanVleet to mentor their young, talented, and maybe a little too cocky core. VanVleet gives them a voice that proves hard work pays off.
Bruce Brown to Indiana, 2 years/$45 million: Wowowowow what a deal for Brown. He is the first big beneficiary of the new CBA forcing under-cap teams to spend up to the salary floor (teams must spend at least 90% of the cap by opening night). The Pacers gave Brown a massive chunk of money, so congratulations to him. His first-year salary in Indiana will be worth all of his prior contracts combined.
Gabe Vincent to LA Lakers, 3 years/$33 million: Nice signing by the Lakers. They're bringing back Rui Hachimura (3 years/$51 million), and adding Taurean Prince (1 year, $4.5 million). They're also taking a flier on Cam Reddish, likely at the minimum, but their moves since the trade deadline have been very good. It’s a nice supporting cast around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Joe Ingles to Orlando, 2 years/$22 million: I like Orlando adding a veteran shooter. I like the Magic’s path. I think all the (deserved) Victor Wenbanyama hype has distracted people from how good Paolo Banchero is. Watch out for the Magic.
Derrick Rose to Memphis, 2 years/$6.5 million: If Tom Thibodeau wasn’t playing Rose, then that tells me he’s cooked. Thibs loves Rose like he loves air. I think this is a mistake for Memphis, especially if it pushes Marcus Smart out of position.
GUYS WHO STAYED
Khris Middleton stays in Milwaukee, 3 years/$102 million: Necessary move. This helps keep Milwaukee in the mix at the top of the East. Any thoughts that the Bucks might face a sudden implosion have been premature, though they still have more work to do.
Draymond Green stays in Golden State, 4 years/$100 million: Also necessary. He opted out of $27.6 million to take a lower average annual value, but to lock up $100 million for the end of his career. The Warriors are keeping the band together for at least one more run.
Kyrie Irving stays in Dallas, 3 years/$130 million: Who was Dallas bidding against? What has Irving done over the past three years to say he gave Brooklyn (and Dallas) $130 million worth of production to earn $130 million over the next three? The Mavs backed themselves into a corner with this deal, they big against themselves for a notorious malcontent, and they’ll be trading him before this contract is over. Don’t be surprised if this costs them Luka Doncic in the process. Worst deal of the day.
Cam Johnson stays in Brooklyn, 4 years/$108 million: The Nets flat-out gave Joe Harris and two picks to Detroit just so the Pistons would stay away from the bidding on Johnson. Johnson now is one of the cornerstones of Brooklyn’s plan moving forward. With the right stars around him. Johnson can be a major contributor.
Jerami Grant stays in Portland, 5 years/$160 million: $32 million per year for Grant? That seems a bit steep for me. I like Grant, but nowhere near this much. The Blazers are very clearly desperate to prove to Damian Lillard that they're committed to building a winner around him. I’m not sure this is the way to do it.
Kyle Kuzma stays in Washington, 4 years/$102 million: Sure, why not? Washington needs to spend the money anyway so someone has to cash in on that.
There were other moves, which you can find on the NBA’s free agency tracker.
WHAT DIDN’T HAPPEN
No extension yet for Jaylen Brown: There's no rush. There might be a part of Brown that makes him want to watch Boston sweat. I get that, if that's the case. Maybe he wants to extend the one-year trade restriction on him after signing the extension. Whatever it is, I’m not reading too much into it right now.
No offer for Grant Williams: This is not the summer for stupid offers to restricted free agents. All the stupid deals are being done right now, and because the clock on Boston’s response to an offer sheet doesn’t start until the moratorium ends on the sixth, teams aren’t going to tie up their cap space. By then the money might dry up, so we’ll see how many teams truly want Williams in a few days.