Boston Celtics: 3 players not likely to return in ’20-21 Season

2. Semi Ojeleye

Alright, chemistry wise, Semi Ojeleye is as good as they come. He’s a quiet, easy-tempered presence in the locker room and has often times been seen encouraging his teammates when they’re found down in a large deficit.

Yet the picture above literally serves as a basis to many as the sole reason Ojeleye remains a part of this roster—Giannis Antetokounmpo. This notion formed perhaps a few seasons ago, when Ojeleye responded above expectations at the task of guarding Antetokounmpo.

Prior to the season’s suspending, Ojeleye was averaging 14.6 minutes per contest, increasing his floor time from 10.6 minutes the prior season. His scoring production hasn’t seen the slightest increase even with those minutes, as he went from 3.3 last season to 3.1 in the current season.

His offensive liabilities on the floor has often led to wide-open missed 3-pointers in the corner. His potential was highlighted on a March 4 game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in which he scored 22 points while going 5 for 8 from 3-point range. That success didn’t translate to the following game while still having roughly the same playing time (30 or more minutes).

Ojeleye is still on the books for the upcoming season at $1.7 million. With bench talent being a sight for sore eyes however, Ojeleye could easily be moved as his salary can be squeezed into a like-for-like trade or even a three-team trade. Without that, he becomes an unrestricted free agent following the ’20-’21 season.

At that point, his time playing in the TD Garden may be at its end.