NBA Rumors: The Boston Celtics are reportedly preparing to throw their hat in the sweepstakes for Kemba Walker in free agency
Barring an unforeseen change of mind, the Boston Celtics are likely losing both Kyrie Irving and Al Horford in free agency this summer. In turn, the Celtics could pivot themselves in order to be big players in free agency.
While they are an unlikely spot for any of the big-name free agents – who are more likely to end up in Los Angeles or New York – the Celtics will do their best to try and get in the room with some of the top tier names.
And one player that the team reportedly will be interested in, if they so choose to play the high stakes game of free agency this summer, is Kemba Walker.
The Celtics, I'm told, are emerging as a stealth suitor for Charlotte Hornets free agent Kemba Walker
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 25, 2019
There is a chance that the Celtics lose both Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozier this summer. In that event, Boston would need to find a replacement at the starting point guard position. Kemba is an interesting option, which could present the Celtics with a max player for non-max money.
Kemba has already said he’s willing to take somewhat less than the max in order to help the Charlotte Hornets build around him. If he would do it for the Hornets, there’s probably some chance that he would be willing to do the same for another team.
Kemba is coming off a career year in which he averaged 26 points and six assists on 43 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent from 3-point range. There’s no question that he’s a big-time player, and has proven that time and time again over the course of his career.
However, he’s never really had a supporting cast to align him with winning on the grandest of stages. That could change with one big decision this summer. Kemba on the Celtics along with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown would be an interesting Big 3 in the Eastern Conference.
And would perhaps – if Tatum and Brown continue to make improvements in their game – be a top 4 team. Kemba Walker won’t be short on potential landing spots this summer. The big question for him, though, will likely revolve around what’s more important – getting the big payday that he’s clearly deserved, or potentially taking less for a better chance at winning a championship.