The Boston Celtics found them-selves in a bit of a predicament with the Kyrie Irving situation, even though his departure became somewhat predictable. When the opportunity opened up for the Celtics, they knew who they were going to target. It didn’t take long for free agent Kemba Walker to be walking through the door in Boston.
Knowing the Charlotte Hornets never put a winning team around Walker, he knew to reach his goals in the NBA, he would have to do it elsewhere. Kemba Walker and the Boston Celtics quickly agreed on a four-year max-contract, giving the three-time All-Star a new place to call home and a new team to get to know.
As exciting and intriguing as the roster was for the Celtics, they absolutely won the NBA Draft with their four selections, making the team even more desirable to be part of, especially for the new wave of free agents this year, and for years to come. Walker knew he could thrive on a team playing alongside guys like: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, and Marcus Smart. In a letter he wrote to the Players Tribune, he described how he is a “winner” and playing for the Celtics is a “match made in heaven”.
Walker is coming off the best season of his career for the Hornets, in which he averaged, 25 points, six assists, and 42/35 splits from the field and the 3-point line. Having never been on a team surrounded by so much talent, Walker should flourish for the Boston Celtics. Walker saw the tremendous amount of potential in this team, unlike Kyrie Irving.
Walker was forced to do everything for the Hornets. Last season, Walker averaged a career high 20.5 field goal attempts per game, which was second in the NBA behind James Harden. With this Boston Celtics team, I don’t think anyone is going to average 20.5 field goal attempts per game.
Walker is going to continue to be an NBA All-Star, while also thriving under Brad Stevens’ system. Being on a lousy team like the Hornets for so long, Walker seems to be a forgotten about as a top point guard in the NBA. No one should be surprised when he has another all-star caliber season this season with the Celtics. I’m predicting a per-game season average for Walker of: 23.4 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and 44/40 splits from the field and the 3-point line.
I’m expecting Walker’s point per game average to drop a little this upcoming season. Unlike his former team, the Celtics are built around players who can score the ball. I also think Walker is going to accumulate a career-high 500 assists over the course of this season. Walker is going to have the most fun he’s ever had as a point guard in the NBA this season, as he will be able to facilitate the floor and make plays for his teammates at a high level.
Celtics’ fans should be pumped to have Walker wearing green for the next four years!