With Kyrie Irving and Terry Rozierboth likely out the door for the Boston Celtics this summer, the Celtics are in desperate need for a point guard. According to ESPN, the Celtics have emerged as the frontrunners to sign free agent All-Star point guard Kemba Walker to fill the void left by the pair.
Walker, the ninth overall selection of the 2011 NBA Draft out of the University of Connecticut, has played his entire eight-season career thus far with the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets. Despite reports several weeks ago that Walker’s first choice was to stay with the Hornets, it appears now that his time as the franchise centerpiece of Charlotte is going to come to a close. According to reports by ESPN, Michael Jordan, the current owner of the Hornets, is not willing to commit enough financially for his star player to re-sign with the team, closing the door on Walker’s time with the franchise and sending the Hornets into the abyss of the NBA for the next several years to come.
Walker and his agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports, are expected to get into communication Sunday with Celtics GM Danny Ainge right around the time when free agency opens. According to reports, the Celtics will offer Walker a four-year, $141 million contract, a deal that Walker is expected as of now to accept. The Celtics view Walker as the opposite of Irving, a player who brings stability and leadership rather than discontent like Irving did.
Last season for the Hornets, Walker averaged his best scoring average as a pro at 25.8 points per game. Walker also averaged a career-high 4.4 rebounds per game along with 5.9 assists per game. Walker shot 43.4% from the field including 35.6% from three-point range. Good times look like they are headed to Boston, not so much though for Charlotte.
