Grading Brad Stevens’ first move for the Boston Celtics: The Kemba Walker angle
If there’s one thing clear after this move, it’s that either the Celtics really wanted to move on from Kemba or they really believe that a 35-year-old Horford could help the team win more games than a 31-year-old Kemba.
I think it’s more of the former than the latter. Stevens was desperate enough to move on from Kemba that he was willing to include a valuable first-round pick in this year’s NBA Draft. I’m not sure that’s something that Danny Ainge ever does. Nevertheless, Stevens has made it quite clear, with his first move in charge, that’s he’s not Ainge. This is indeed a new era.
Kemba’s relationship with the Celtics had soured after Boston discussed dealing him after his first season with the team. Celtics get off the final two years of Kemba’s contract — but need to move a big trade chip (No. 16 pick) to do it.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 18, 2021
Does Stevens have more moves up his sleeve before the start of next season? At this point, you’d have to assume so. Though, I don’t think we can entirely overlook the value that Horford and Brown bring to the Celtics with this deal.