AUGUST 6: The Bucks have officially signed Ojeleye, the team announced on Friday (via Twitter).
AUGUST 2: The 2021 NBA champion Bucks will be adding forward Semi Ojeleye to shore up their frontcourt depth, agent Sean Kennedy informs Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (via Twitter).
Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports (Twitter link) that Ojeleye is set to join the Bucks on a one-year, minimum-salary contract.
Selected with the No. 37 pick in the 2017 NBA draft out of SMU by the Celtics, the 6’6″ forward spent his first four NBA seasons in Boston. Though not much of a scorer (his career-best average thus far is 4.6 PPG in 2020/21), Ojeleye nevertheless found his way into the rotation for the Celtics’ various playoff-bound teams over the years, including two Eastern Conference Finals teams in 2018 and 2020.
A versatile defender, Ojeleye could fill the absence left by veteran tweener forward P.J. Tucker, who is expected to depart for the Heat after agreeing to a new two-year, $15MM deal.
In 2020/21, Ojeleye averaged the aforementioned 4.6 PPG, to go along with 2.6 RPG, in 17.0 minutes per contest. He played in 56 games, starting 15. The 26-year-old Ojeleye proved to be a reliable three-point shooter last year, albeit on a modest volume, connecting on 36.7% of his 2.8 looks from long range.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Full Ojeleye wasn’t available?
They still have room to to sign Full-Auto Ojeleye
This is a good replacement for Tucker. It still leaves them their MLE to sign another PG/SG.
He’s not replacing tucker lol
He doesn’t have to replace Tucker’s production from last season since DiVincenzo will be back to play the majority of those minutes. Semi only needs to replace his defensive versatility.
Nice addition. Would like to see them add maybe Derrick Rose and Isiah Thomas with Bobby Portis. Think all that is possible with keeping us as one of the top teams
It isn’t possible for them to sign Derrick Rose. The Knicks already resigned him.
Yeah sorry I didn’t catch up on all my news before I wrote my message. Completely my bonehead move
Didn’t Beck do an entire album about this guy?
I’m a fan of Ojeleye. Should be good depth at the 4 for them. He and Grant William’s were kind of in a weird situation in Boston where 1 of them makes more sense over the other depending on the rest of the roster. He can put the ball on the floor a little more than PJ Tucker
Just quickly looking at the Celtocs roster, if it is correct, which must mean Richardson didnt opt out, assuming they dont move out certain pieces, and get rid of Bruno Fernando, I see 14 guys for the roster, and a potential need for literally a guy like Ojeleye in their depth, at the 4, especially at the minimum, but I could see him thinking about more playing time, with young guys at that position in Milwaukee potentially behind him…although I’m not entirely sure he consistently gets those minutes over Nwora or Diakite
I think Brad Stevens lost confidence in Semi. I think in Mil he well play more hopefully he will take the ball to the rack more now.