O'Shea Brissett, who was in camp with Jordi Fernandez's Team Canada, was traded to the Long Island Nets a month after winning the NBA title in June.
Fernandez told the Post that the deal had nothing to do with him and that Brissett earned the position entirely on his own.
But he added that the 6-foot-7, 210-pound forward is an NBA talent and he's happy to have him in the Nets organization.
“Yes, he was.” [in Team Canada] The last two summers,” Fernandez told the Post. “He’s young, he’s big, he’s athletic. He can play multiple positions defensively. [He’s] Switchable and excellent rebounder. The problem in the NBA is that his shot has been a little bit up and down. He had a very good season shooting threes, but then he slowed down a little bit.
“But definitely, there's no question in my mind that he has a place in this league and I really enjoyed the time I spent with him. And he's still young, so We have to take this opportunity to show our talent and be part of a team that wants to win together, and he will help us. I mean, he's a kid with a lot of potential and definitely has NBA talent.”
Brissett played three seasons at Indiana, averaging 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in 67 games, his best season in 2021-22.
The defensive specialist appeared in 55 games with Boston last season, averaging 3.7 points and 2.9 boards in 11.5 minutes. He hit just 27.3 percent from deep, but it ended up in the ring.
His biggest contribution came in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, when Joe Mazzula used him as a small-ball center and he was a plus-15 with three steals in 12 minutes.
However, Brissett declined his $2.5 million player option and withdrew from Team Canada in order to find a new team where he could receive more playing time. He couldn't find it…that is, until he landed with the Long Island Nets.
“I wanted to go out there and be with players who wanted me to be myself, and I had those conversations with Nets players before I signed,” Brissett told Hardwood Houdini. Ta. “So it was more, more.”
Fernandes insisted he did no favors to get the former player to sign his autograph.
“No, Sean. [Marks] And I know him very well. We know the people he works with. That's it. That’s how it worked out,” Fernandez told the Post. “It's just like everyone else. We all know each other, and it's really good that he chose this path and he was able to do it with us. That's good.
Dayron Sharpe is available despite being hit in the eye by a ball on Friday.
Ben Simmons (illness) is likely, but D'Angelo Russell (managing left hamstring strain injury) is questionable.
Cam Thomas is still out.
Cam Johnson said he will have to manage a sprained ankle for the foreseeable future.
