The Celtics’ new front office is making moves already. Brad Stevens has his first major move in his new position as the Celtics trade Kemba Walker and their No. 16 overall pick in the upcoming 2021 as well as a second-round 2025 pick. draft to OKC. The Thunder are sending Al Horford, Moses Brown, and a 2023 second-round pick in return. This move gets Walker, who may have been unhappy in Boston, out as well as his $73M contract. The Thunder will now have three first-round picks in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN had the news.
Boston gets financial flexibility moving off the $73M owed Walker with the return of Horford. OKC has three first-round picks in July now. Thunder can work with Walker on what’s next for him as they did with CP3, ‘Melo and Horford. https://t.co/xKQS56kfYh
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2021
The Celtics floundered in the NBA Playoffs this season. With an injury to Jaylen Brown and Walker, there was little to no hope of passing the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. Jayson Tatum did his best to keep Boston competitive, but he wasn’t enough on his own.
So the Celtics trade Kemba Walker. There may be more moves in the organization’s future as Stevens looks over the landscape. Will big, bold moves be made to bring a contender to Boston? Or will it be more disappointments in the postseason for the Celtics? A new era begins.
