2019 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Kemba Walker: 4 years, $141 million (Boston Celtics)
Free agent Kemba Walker has agreed to sign a four-year, $141M maximum contract to join the Boston Celtics, Excel Sports agent Jeff Schwartz tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019
Quite a bounce-back move for the Boston Celtics. They still won’t be emerging from the offseason as “winners” (barring something drastic), but after losing Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, signing one of the marquee point guards on the market is a step back in the right direction.
In a potential three-team sign-and-trade with the Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets that involves Terry Rozier and Kyrie Irving, Boston’s next move will be trying to re-sign Al Horford. Even if that doesn’t work, however, Walker is still a good way to ensure the Celtics don’t regress in their path back to contention.
Coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 25.6 points, 5.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game, Walker will replace one All-Star point guard with another, and will hopefully allow the youngsters like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to thrive without all the drama that Irving’s antics stirred up.
Kemba is not the same caliber of player as Kyrie, but perhaps he’ll be a better fit personality-wise. That kind of locker room chemistry matters in the NBA, and though it’s a hefty price to pay, the Celtics are bouncing back to remain firmly entrenched in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Grade: A-