Tuesday afternoon, the Celtics formally introduced their two big offseason acquisitions, with Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari joining president of basketball operations Brad Stevens for a press conference. While this allowed fans in Boston to start to become familiar with the players, the duo at the podium shared they’ve long been familiar with the Celtics.

“I was extremely excited,” Brogdon said when asked about his reaction to the trade. “The possibility to put on a Boston Celtics jersey – my grandfather who passed a few years ago was the biggest Bill Russell fan, was the biggest [Red] Auerbach fan, and I loved the Boston Celtics. So to be able to play here is definitely a blessing for me, in his honor for sure.”

“I’ve told everybody I’ve met in the organization it’s an honor to put on this jersey. It’s a privilege,” he continued. “The most historic, successful, high-reaching organization in the league. I’m extremely excited to be here.”

Gallinari offered a similar story. Asked about choosing the Celtics in free agency over other teams that offered more money, Gallinari replied “many, many reasons but when you think about the Celtics – I grew up with my dad, since I was a little kid, being a Celtics fan, being a Larry Bird fan.” Stevens pointed out Gallinari’s dad Vittorio – who also played basketball – was in attendance for the presser.

“So when the Celtics came on the table, it was almost like a no-brainer,” the younger Gallinari continued. “You walk, even in [the Auerbach Center] you look around and you see what’s going on around. The banners, the history, and everything the Celtics are about. It was an easy choice.”

Brogdon and Gallinari will try to be the final pieces in the puzzle that help the Celtics get over the hump and add to that history this upcoming season. They’re expected to handle the scoring on the Celtics’ second unit, which proved to be inconsistent at times even into the playoffs.