The 2024-25 NBA season is fast approaching, and Boston Celtics fans are eager to see if the defending champions can start strong. General manager Brad Stevens successfully retained the core players from last year’s NBA Finals-winning team, making the Celtics the +300 favorite on FanDuel Sportsbook to claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy again.
As the regular season draws near, it’s always interesting to check in on former Celtics players. While some have found new teams this offseason, others are still searching for their next opportunity nearly two months into free agency. Here are three former Celtics who remain available as free agents.
1. Oshae Brissett, SF/PF
Oshae Brissett is one former Celtic still seeking a new team. The 26-year-old spent four seasons with the Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers before signing a one-year deal with the Celtics ahead of the 2023-24 season. Brissett primarily played a backup role, averaging 3.7 points on .444/.273/.602 shooting splits, along with 2.9 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 55 games.
Payton Pritchard throwing alley-oops off the glass to Oshae Brissett. pic.twitter.com/aYTa14q5Ja
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) January 14, 2024
Oshae Brissett even made appearances in 10 postseason games. Although most of his playing time came during garbage minutes, his per-100-possession averages of 15.2 points and 13.3 rebounds had some fans speculating that Brissett might be ready for a larger role. Unfortunately, it seems that there hasn’t been much interest from other teams. Last month, The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach mentioned that the Celtics were possibly considering bringing Brissett back, but those talks haven’t progressed.
At just 26 years old, Brissett still has plenty of time to build a long career, but it remains to be seen if a team will give him the chance to prove himself.
2. Lamar Stevens, PF/C
Lamar Stevens had a brief stint with the Celtics. After spending his first three seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston signed the former NIT MVP to a one-year deal ahead of the 2023-24 season.
The Philadelphia native’s time with the Celtics lasted less than five months. He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies—along with two second-round picks—in exchange for Xavier Tillman before February’s trade deadline. Stevens played in just 19 games for Boston, averaging 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 points while shooting 45.0% from the field and 30.4% from beyond the arc.
Lamar Stevens out here looking like Jaylen Brown pic.twitter.com/DpRxHOzJzJ
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) October 10, 2023
The move to Memphis turned out to be a positive one for Lamar Stevens. His playing time with the Grizzlies nearly quadrupled compared to his opportunities with the Celtics, leading to averages of 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds on .446/.289/.791 shooting splits over 19 games. Given his strong performance in the second half of the season, it’s surprising that Stevens remains a free agent. While he may not be a game-changer on his own, the athletic 6-foot-6 forward appears to be entering his prime.
3. Isaiah Thomas, PG
Though Isaiah Thomas hasn’t donned a Boston jersey in over seven years, he remains one of the most recognizable former Celtics still on the market. The two-time All-Star mentioned earlier this summer that he likely has only a few years left in his career, making this an opportune moment for him to pursue an NBA comeback.
At 35 years old, Thomas is still remembered fondly by Celtics fans. In just 2.5 seasons with Boston, he became one of the franchise’s most beloved players. Between 2015 and 2017, the former Washington guard played 179 games for the Celtics, averaging an impressive 24.7 points on .443/.368/.889 shooting splits, along with 6.0 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. His 2016-17 season was particularly outstanding, as he finished fifth in NBA MVP voting while leading Boston to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Unfortunately, Thomas hasn’t been able to recapture that form since then. Since the 2017 offseason, he has played for eight different NBA teams and even spent time in the G League. Last season, he appeared in six games for the Phoenix Suns, where he struggled, averaging just 1.3 points on 30.0% shooting from the field and 50.0% from three-point range.
Despite his recent struggles, Thomas has secured a tryout with the Sacramento Kings. Whether this opportunity will lead to a return to the NBA remains uncertain.
It’s evident that Thomas’ best days are behind him. While he continues to be admired by fans and peers alike, it’s difficult to see many NBA teams offering him a roster spot at this stage in his career.
