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Boston Celtics: 25 Best Players To Play For The Celtics

By Phil Watson

Apr 24, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of TD Garden prior to the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of TD Garden prior to the first round of the NBA Playoffs between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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LOS ANGELES – FEBRUARY 15: Antoine Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics is defended by Chris Wilcox #54 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the NBA game at Staples Center on February 15, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics won 92-84. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – FEBRUARY 15: Antoine Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics is defended by Chris Wilcox #54 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the NBA game at Staples Center on February 15, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics won 92-84. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images) /

PF. 1996-2003, 2005. Antoine Walker. 23. player. 18. <strong>How Acquired: </strong>6th overall pick from Kentucky, 1996 NBA Draft; Trade, Atlanta Hawks, Feb. 24, 2005

Antoine Walker flashed a lot of potential as a sophomore at Kentucky, helping the Wildcats to their first national title in 18 years by averaging 15.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

He opted out of the remainder of his eligibility and the Boston Celtics selected the power forward with the sixth overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft.

BOS_23_WALKER
BOS_23_WALKER /

Walker was a first team All-Rookie selection in 1996-97 and was an All-Star with the Celtics in 1998, 2002 and 2003.

Durable and never shy about taking a shot, Walker led the NBA in three-pointers in 2000-01 and was second in both 2001-02 and 2002-03. He was third in minutes per game in 2000-01 and 2001-02 and fifth in 2002-03 and he was fifth in the scoring race in 1997-98.

But Boston only made the playoffs twice during his stint, reaching the conference finals in 2002.

In October 2003, Walker was traded with Tony Delk to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Raef LaFrentz, Chris Mills, Jiri Welsch and a 2004 first-round pick.

Less than two years later, he was back in Boston, re-acquired in February 2005 from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Gary Payton, Tom Gugliotta, Michael Stewart and a first-round pick in 2006.

The return to the Celtics was brief. In August 2005, Walker was dealt to the Miami Heat as part of a massive five-team swap, getting back Qyntel Woods, the rights to Albert Miralles and second-round picks in 2006 and 2008 from Miami, as well as picking up Curtis Borchardt from the Utah Jazz.

The Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Hornets were also parties to the trade.

In parts of eight seasons in Boston, Walker averaged 20.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals in 39.2 minutes per game, shooting .413/.333/.662.

He was traded to the Hawks in August 2004 (again with Delk).

Walker picked up a championship ring with the Heat in 2006 before he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in October 2007.

He was traded to the Grizzlies in a draft night deal in June 2008, but never suited up for Memphis, which bought out his contract and waived him in December 2008.

Walker, facing mounting financial and legal problems, came back to play in Puerto Rico in 2010 and spent two seasons in the D-League from 2010-12 before retiring.

He is 28th in NBA history with 1,386 three-pointers.

Next: Tiny Came Back From Where Few Have

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