Milwaukee Bucks: Grading all moves in 2021 NBA free agency
Milwaukee Bucks: Grading free agency moves — Signing Semi Ojeleye
Following the loss of versatile forward P.J. Tucker, the Milwaukee Bucks reacted by signing Semi Ojeleye to a one-year, $1.7 million minimum deal. Ojeleye obviously won’t be as effective as Tucker was in terms of presence and leadership, but at least he’s 10 years younger and possesses a similar skill set defensively.
The SMU product had spent the first few years of his career with the Boston Celtics and occasionally cracked the rotation as a tough, hardworking, high motor defensive specialist. At times, Ojeleye even defended generational superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo when facing the Bucks, and now he’ll be able to profusely try to challenge him each practice.
While Ojeleye will mostly provide defensive value and fit right into the high work ethic environment in Milwaukee, he could also become a threat from beyond the arc. He’s shot 34.9 percent from 3-point land over his career and averaged 36.7 percent from the mark last season.
Semi Ojeleye isn’t P.J. Tucker, but if he can consistently hit 3’s, the powerful forward could emerge as an intriguing rotational piece off the bench at a very cheap price. Ojeleye is worth taking a flyer on at the value of a minimum contract and will have to earn his way into the rotation next season.