Kathy Willens/Associated Press
This offseason of exchange for the Boston Celtics persisted Friday, with Kemba Walker being traded to the Oklahoma City Relate.
The Celtics will receive Al Horford, Moses Brown and a 2d-round draft snatch in 2023 from the Relate in alternate for the four-time All-Valuable individual, the No. 16 snatch within the 2021 NBA draft and a 2025 2d-round snatch.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the deal, also noting the Celtics obtained some monetary flexibility:
It gave the impression like Boston and Walker had been heading for a ruin up after spending the past two seasons collectively. B/R’s Farbod Esnaashari reported June 9 that the 2 facets had been “doubtless to transfer ahead from their relationship this offseason in a mutual settlement between the occasions.”
Walker joined the Celtics in July 2019 as share of a brand-and-trade form out the Charlotte Hornets.
The marriage began out properly. Walker became as soon as named to the All-Valuable individual personnel after averaging 21.8 functions on 38.8 p.c three-point taking pictures and 5.0 assists per game in 46 begins for the length of the season’s first half.
Injuries took a toll on Walker down the stretch for the length of the 2019-20 season and persisted to linger final season. He shot reliable 31.0 p.c from three for the length of the 2020 postseason.
After present process stem cell remedy on his injured knee for the length of the offseason, Walker neglected the first 11 video games of the 2020-21 marketing and marketing campaign. The 31-year-dilapidated became as soon as in a suppose to position collectively a moral statistical season—19.3 functions per game on 36.0 p.c three-point taking pictures—but it became as soon as a step down from his handiest years.
Boston’s roster became as soon as decimated by accidents for the length of the season, resulting in a 36-36 file within the long-established season and a five-game loss to the Brooklyn Nets within the first round of the playoffs.
The Celtics’ postseason loss ended in an organizational restructuring. Brad Stevens moved into the aim of president of basketball operations after Danny Ainge retired. They are restful making an are attempting to salvage a brand unique head coach.
Losing Walker does tear away Boston with a indispensable void to maintain at point guard, but the roster is never any longer in dire straits. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are two of the finest younger stars within the NBA. Marcus Lovely is an handsome defensive player.
Horford is aware of the Celtics properly, having spent three seasons with the group from 2016 to 2019. He became as soon as a key player for his or her runs to the Jap Conference finals in 2017 and 2018. The five-time All-Valuable individual averaged 13.5 functions on 49.8 p.c taking pictures, 7.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game in 208 begins with the Celtics.
The Relate obtained Horford from the Philadelphia 76ers before the originate of this season. He looked in 28 video games for the personnel before being shut down in Would possibly.
Al Horford @Al_Horford
Thanks to Clay Bennett, Sam Presti, Sign Daigneault, my teammates and the total Relate group for his or her professionalism for the length of my time in Oklahoma City. Whereas it became as soon as immediate, it became as soon as first class your whole way and me and my family are extremely grateful and appreciative.
There are objects in suppose for the Celtics to turn things round quickly, but they are going to need to like a remarkable offseason to realize their seemingly.
Given the keep Oklahoma City is at reliable now, having long gone your whole way in on rebuilding and buying draft picks, it looks doubtful that Walker will play worthy, if at all, for the personnel.
