Celtics guarantee improving Semi Ojeleye for 2018


Combat Muscles is back in Boston
The Boston Celtics have made a lot of no-brainer moves this offseason. Earlier this week they got to make another when Semi Ojeleye's contract was up for guarantee.
This was an easy decision for the Celtics because Ojeleye can provide so much for so little. He's an excellent defender who Boston used to stall Giannis Antetokounmpo and Ben Simmons in the postseason. And though he averaged just 2.7 points and 2.2 rebounds on .346/.320/.610 shooting percentages, Ojeleye could improve his shooting considerably over the course of his contract.

The former SMU star is signed for the next three seasons with a team option on the final two years of his deal. Ojeleye makes $1.378 million in 2018-19, $1.618 million in 2019-20 and $1.752 million in 2020-21. Is that a steal or what?

Ojeleye has also recognized that he needs to be more of a threat on the offensive end and that has motivated him to put in the work this summer. The six-foot-seven, 235-pound forward has been working with Drew Hanlen of Pure Sweat. Hanlen also works with Jayson Tatum and a plethora of other NBA stars.

So far, Hanlen has been working with Ojeleye to perfect his release. Ojeleye has a tendency to push his right hand out to the side when releasing his shot and Hanlen has been trying to help him eliminate it. So far, it seems to be working well.

The Overland Park native averaged 12.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals over 28.2 minutes per game in five appearances. He shot 42.6% from the field, 33.3% from deep, and 75% from the line.
Ojeleye projects to once again be a consistent face in the Celtics rotation during his second season in the NBA. He could develop into even more than that if he becomes an above-average offensive threat. For now, we'll just have to let Hanlen continue to work his magic.

Picture by Jim Mone/Associated Press

 Follow Dustin Lewis on Twitter for more news and coverage on the Boston Celtics.
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