Boston Celtics Roster: Kemba Walker Gone, Al Horford Returns, Possible 2021 Offseason Moves

The Boston Celtics had such a disappointing season that the organization isn’t waiting for the 2021 NBA playoffs to end to shake up the roster. The team has agreed to trade Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports, moving the point guard just two years after signing him to a max contract.

Boston will receive Al Horford, Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round draft pick in the deal, according to Wojnarowski. Oklahoma City gets Walker, the No. 16 overall pick in this year’s draft and a 2025 second-rounder.

The trade is essentially a cost-cutting move, allowing Boston to shed Walker’s $73 million salary over the next two seasons. Walker was hampered by a knee injury for most of his stint with the Celtics, and it could be a chronic issue that prevents him from returning to his All-Star form.

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

Horford, who played with Boston for three seasons from 2016-2019, is owed $27 million for the 2021-2022 season. Horford could make up to $26.5 million the following year, though only $14.5 million of that salary is guaranteed.

By adding Horford and Brown, the Cetlics have bolstered their frontcourt, a weakness during last season. Horford averaged 14.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in 28 games this past season. Brown averaged 8.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in what was only his second NBA season.

Center Robert Williams showed improvement in his third season with Boston, averaging 9.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game after the All-Star break. There could be little time for Tristan Thompson to find his way onto the court, sparking speculation that the Celtics might look to trade the veteran.

Thompson has one year and $9.258 million left on his contract.

Trading Walker frees up both money and playing time in the backcourt for Boston. It might increase the chances of the Celtics re-signing Evan Fournier. Fournier averaged 15.4 points per game in the playoffs for Boston and is headed for free agency.

Bringing back Al Horford works for a multitude of reasons. Taking a flier on Moses Brown makes a lot of sense. Currently, the #Celtics arguably have an overcrowded frontcourt. Tristan Thompson may move.

But, more than anything, Robert Williams had better be the starting center.
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) June 18, 2021

My quick math tells me that Boston freed up about $9.4 million under the 2021-22 luxury tax with this trade. That, combined with potential other moves, should free up Boston to re-sign Evan Fournier without dipping deep into the luxury tax for 2021-22.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 18, 2021

The Celtics are led by two of the NBA’s best young players. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were both 2021 All-Stars. They averaged a combined 51.1 points, 13.4 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game. While Brown missed the playoffs with an injury, Tatum scored 50 points in the team’s play-in tournament game and Boston’s only playoff win.

Tatum and Brown didn’t get enough help during the season, leading to a 36-36 record. Boston was quickly eliminated in five games in the first round by the Brooklyn Nets. In the previous four seasons, the Celtics made three Eastern Conference Finals appearances.

The Celtics are still looking for a head coach after Brad Stevens was chosen to leave the bench and replace team president Danny Ainge in the front office.