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The Chicago Bulls desperately need a point guard next to shooting guard Zach LaVine, which is why the team reportedly reached out to the Boston Celtics about a Kemba Walker trade, per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
Walker signed a four-year, $140.8 million maximum contract with the Celtics in the summer of 2019 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Charlotte Hornets. While it would be shocking to see Boston part ways with Walker after just one season, stranger things have happened in the NBA.
.@KevinOConnorNBA on #Celtics and trades heading into the draft:
The talk yesterday was Gordon Hayward + 1st to Pelicans for Jrue Holiday. Didn't materialize
KOC: "I heard Chicago asked about Kemba"
— Jones & Mego with Arcand (@JonesandMego) November 17, 2020
The Bulls have been looking for a starting-caliber point guard ever since they traded former MVP Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks in the offseason of 2016. Some are speculating that Chicago would have to include LaVine in a trade to Boston for Walker since the high-flyer is the best player on the Bulls.
However, it wouldn’t make much sense for the Bulls to trade for Walker if LaVine isn’t on the team. If Chicago is serious about getting Walker, the front office in the Windy City may have to part ways with Lauri Markkanen or Wendell Carter Jr.
The Bulls haven’t made the playoffs since the 2016-17 season, which was the final year Jimmy Butler was on the team. Chicago has the fourth overall pick in the 2020 draft as a result of its putrid 2019-20 season.
Kemba Walker averaged 20.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game for the Celtics in 2019-20. He is set to make $34.4 million during the 2020-21 season, which will start on Dec. 22.