The NBA madness continues. Just weeks after the huge Boston Celtics bombshells on Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens, we get another on one of their key players. Kemba Walker is being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for former Celtics center Al Horford.
The full details were reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski:
The Celtics are trading Kemba Walker, the No. 16 overall pick in the 2021 draft and a 2025 second-round draft pick to Oklahoma City for Al Horford, Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2021
Boston gets financial flexibility moving off the $73M owed Walker with the return of Horford. OKC has three first-round picks in July now. Thunder can work with Walker on what’s next for him as they did with CP3, ‘Melo and Horford. https://t.co/xKQS56kfYh
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2021
This is a full circle moment for both the Celtics and Horford. The 14-year NBA star spent three seasons in Beantown, earning himself one All-Star appearance during that stretch. He averaged 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in those three seasons.
While Horford's on-court production wasn't exactly eye-popping, it was his steadying presence and veteran savvy that made him extra valuable to a team needing stern leadership. While he had a down year after leaving the Celtics for the Philadelphia 76ers, he proved he could still contribute at a high level with the Thunder in limited spurts last season. With OKC in a full rebuild, they eventually shut down the big man to be able to play their younger talent such as the Boston-bound Moses Brown.
The Thunder once again escape as sly bandits in this one, receiving draft capital to take on Al Horford in the first place, then getting even more to trade him away. OKC's collection of draft picks is truly impressive.
As for Walker, we'll see how long he stays with the Thunder. Sam Presti could look to flip him elsewhere at some point. The veteran guard spent just two injury-plagued seasons in Boston after signing a massive four-year deal.
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