Demetrius Jackson waived, Semi Ojeleye signed today

Demetrius Jackson, selected out of Notre Dame with the 45th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics, has been waived.


 The Jackson era, a brief 17 minutes played over five games at the NBA level over which he logged two points and .6 assists per game, is over. His demise was mostly made certain by the signing of Gordon Hayward, but also by the sheer numbers of incoming prospects who have looked more promising in the small sample size NBA Summer Leagues have provided after the 2017 NBA Draft.

Jackson, who would have been owed $734,750 in guaranteed money on his current deal had he not been waived by today, will likely have his currently guaranteed portion of his contract ($650,000) stretched to allow incoming prospect Semi Ojeleye to make the team if Jackson's contract is not picked up off waivers. A team might consider taking his deal on, too (though a longshot), as while Demetrius is not quite good enough to keep up with the lower end of talent on or able to join Boston's roster this season, he's still a younger, capable point guard who could help a cash-strapped team fill out it's roster cheaply.

With Semi is signed to the regular-season roster, the teambuilding will be complete save for potential trades and two-way contracts, as the roster will sit at 15, the non-two-way limit (the new CBA allows each team to also have up to two players on deals which will have their players in the NBA G-League [formerly, D-League], with up to 45 days of availability with the parent club). He is reportedly being signed for a four-year deal with yet-undisclosed figures, though only the first two years will be guaranteed salary.

Ojeleye, a product of SMU drafted far below his projected range at the 37th overall pick in this year's draft, has been outstanding in Summer League and showing himself to a capable defender, earning effusive praise from coach Brad Stevens, and an excellent perimeter shooter as well, hitting 40% from deep over 25 attempts this summer.

For more stories about the offseason on CelticsLife, click here. For more by Justin, click here.


Image: Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE
Data: Basketball-reference.com
Follow Justin at @justinquinnn
Share