Boston Celtics: 2 free agent options to replace Semi Ojeleye

Boston Celtics target No. 1) Georges Niang

The expectation for Semi Ojeleye was that he’d end up serving as a high-quality rotational 3-and-D asset for the Boston Celtics.

Throughout his four full years in green and white, he showed glimpses of providing both attributes but, often, they were not on display at the same time.

Take this past season for example — despite shooting nearly 37 percent from deep on 2.8 attempts per game he went on to tie his career-worst defensive box plus-minus rating of -1.2.

With the Ojeleye experiment over, the Cs will once again be in the market for a floor-spacing forward who can hold their own on the less glamorous side of the ball and, though perhaps not the biggest name found in this year’s free agency market, we believe Georges Niang could prove to be a solid target to consider pursuing.

Especially with the fact that Evan Fournier is now gone, the team’s 3-point shooting options have obviously diminished (the Frenchman led the team in this category by shooting at a 46 percent clip).

Since becoming a key rotational player with the Utah Jazz back in 2019-20, Niang has posted 6.5 points and 2.2 rebounds on a highly efficient 41 percent shooting from deep.

While he may not be a pest on the defensive end, he most certainly is not a liability, as he has proven capable of sticking with his assignment as well as making smart reads when it comes to help defense as well.

Likely to be signed on a cost-efficient deal, bringing on Georges Niang could be a low-key solid move for Brad Stevens and co. to make.