Boston Celtics: 2 potential offseason Kemba Walker deals

A 2-for-1 guard swap

The second deal is not quite as massive, but this deal brings on two starter-caliber point guards for the Cs in Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball. The New Orleans Pelicans would take on the contract of Vincent Poirier and Boston’s own 2020 first-rounder to acquire Walker.

Why the Boston Celtics do it

The Cs would have a surplus of lineup versatility if they were able to bring on the guard duo of Jrue Holiday and Lonzo Ball. Holiday is a proven All-Star talent who has not had the chance to reach those heights in a top-heavy Pelicans lineup the past few years and Lonzo Ball is a buy-low candidate after another ill-fit with his second professional team.

With both players in tow, the Celtics would be able to rotate the duo with Marcus Smart at the 1, while also moving Jaylen Brown to a more natural small forward position. This deal also opens up a roster spot with three outbound cap holds for only two.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans do it

New Orleans hasn’t been much of a free agency destination in recent years, doing most of their work in the trade market to build and then destroy the team they built around Anthony Davis. Kemba Walker would be as good of a get as the team can hope for this offseason, especially at a point guard position that has one marquee free agent that may be out of the Pelicans’ price range (Fred VanVleet).

Doing so while ridding themselves of Ball and cashing in on the final year of Holiday’s deal before he potentially looks elsewhere in 2021 free agency (player option) would be a win for a team that just traded their franchise player to a team that is one win away from an NBA Championship.