Boston Celtics Mock Draft: 3 replacements for outbound free agents

Semi Ojeleye

Semi Ojeleye has spent his entire three-year career in a Boston Celtics uniform, but this offseason may see that run come to an end. Ojeleye is a restricted free agent, and he may be able to fetch a sizable offer-sheet from a rebuilding franchise like the New York Knicks or the Detroit Pistons.

In the case that Ojeleye is a goner, the Cs would need to find a replacement who can provide similar on-court value in his 14 minutes per game. The man once referred to as “The Incredible Hulk” in his rookie season scored just three points and grabbed two rebounds, but shot 38 percent from the 3-point line in two attempts per game this past season.

NBA Draft replacement: Saddiq Bey

Villanova’s Saddiq Bey is not a direct replacement for Ojeleye’s role, as the wirey Bey is no match for “the Ox”. Editor’s note: Semi Ojeleye has a lot of nicknames…and they are mostly amazing.

Instead, Bey would be the first forward off the bench for the 2020-21 Boston Celtics like Ojeleye was this past season. The rotations didn’t dictate a ton of minutes for Ojeleye, and when fully healthy, the Cs mostly staggered all of their top-tier wing talents, directly impacting the minutes of “Muscles Jesus”.

His unreal 45 percent shooting on almost six 3-point attempts per game during the 2019-20 season would obviously translate to the pro-level, giving the Cs a significant wing upgrade on their bench with their lone 2020 lottery pick.