After his first victory, the Milwaukee Bucks NBA Championship in 50 years, the team and the city were hungry for another taste of success. However, as is the case with any team that wins the title, they were unable to bring back every player from their winning lineup. Notably, midseason trade acquisition and fan favorite PJ Tucker signed a lucrative contract in free agency with the Miami Heat.
But even then, as now, general manager Jon Horst knew his team needed as many good three-pointers as possible. As a result, his goal in free agency was to sign wingers who would be good defenders and deadly scorers.
Unfortunately, his transfers this year did not bring results.
Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleley had memorable performances with the Milwaukee Bucks
In the offseason, after Milwaukee won the title, Horst brought in several fresh players who he hoped would lead the Bucks back to the NBA Finals. Three players worth watching are Garyson Allen, Semi Ojeleley and Rodney Hood.
Only Allen remained with the Bucks after the 2021-22 season.
Ojeleye appeared in just 20 games for Milwaukee and averaged 2.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. After shooting 39.4% from three in his first four seasons with the Boston Celtics, he shot just 25.7% for the Bucks.
Hood appeared in 39 games but didn’t do much better. He averaged 3.1 points and 1.7 rebounds per game, shooting 30% from three. Before coming to Milwaukee, he was shooting 3-pointers at a rate of 36.7%.
Ultimately, the Bucks traded Ojeleleye and Hood to the Los Angeles Clippers for Serge Ibaka. This was the same trade that sent Dante DiVincenzo to the Sacramento Kings for the 2024 second-round draft pick that Milwaukee used on Tyler Smith this year.
Rodney Hood, former Milwaukee Bucks free agent, has left the NBA
Hood has not appeared in the NBA since the end of the 2021-22 season when he was with the Clippers. When he recently tried to return to the G League, his body told him he simply couldn’t take the grind any longer.
Rodney Hood told ESPN that he is retiring from UTA, CLE, POR, TOR, MIL and LAC after eight seasons in the NBA. The 6-8 guard/forward attempted to return to the G League’s Memphis Hustle last season before another injury told him it was time. pic.twitter.com/N7Ty7KR1fv
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 21, 2024
Hood averaged 10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists over eight seasons.
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