After a disappointing 2018-19 season was followed up with a turbulent start to the offseason for the Celtics, they have bounced back to land one of the best point guards in the NBA.
The Celtics and Kemba Walker have agreed to terms on a four-year, $141 million max contract to bring the three-time All-Star to Boston, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
With Kyrie Irving and Al Horford's expected departures in free agency, expect Walker to be a focal point in Brad Stevens' offense along with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward.
2018-19 was a career-year for the eight-year veteran. He averaged a career-high 25.6 points per game with 5.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds. He shot 43.4 percent from the floor and 35.6 percent from three as the Hornets' only reliable source of offense. His performance last season earned him a Third team All-NBA selection, which qualified him for a supermax extension worth $221 million over five years from Charlotte.
The Hornets never came close to offering that kind of money to Walker, so he turned his attention to a Celtics team with a more talented supporting cast than he ever had with Hornets and one of the game's brightest coaches in Brad Stevens.
Walker becomes the latest in a line of All-Star point guards to play for the Celtics. Isaiah Thomas led the team in scoring from 2015-17 before he was traded for Kyrie Irving. Irving then did the same for two seasons, but will now leave for Brooklyn. Neither lasted more than two-and-half seasons, so with Walker's reported deal, Boston may finally have a star guard who will stick around.
Boston Celtics
The stigma surrounding Boston as a non-destination for free agents should probably be put to bed. Since the summer of 2016, they have landed three highly-touted free agents to max contracts in Walker, Horford and Gordon Hayward.
With Walker in the fold, the Celtics can now turn to address a hole at the center position. They have a $4.8 million room exception and veteran minimum exceptions to add a big man. They have already reportedly shown interest in Enes Kanter and Kevon Looney.
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