Boston Celtics: 2 blockbuster deals that land 2021 draft picks

Why the Boston Celtics do it

Kemba Walker’s contract is one that will be a lot easier to part with than Marcus Smart’s. That isn’t to say it will be an easy one to part with. With a salary north of $34 million and two years remaining on his deal, coupled with a knee that has seen issues flare up regularly over the last year (even with a pandemic that gave additional time to heal), Walker may not prove to be an easy cap figure to move.

But if there’s one team that would take a gamble on him regaining his superstar form, it’s the New York Knicks. In fact, the Knicks may be willing to part with more assets to appease a fanbase that seems poised to finally experience the postseason.

The Knicks have several recent lottery picks who seem primed for minimal roles in the current rotation in Obi Toppin (whose path to stardom is blocked by the presence of Julius Randle) and Kevin Knox (who has not been able to find steady minutes under three different coaches) that could be of interest to the Boston Celtics.

Of course, a draft picks is what will enable the Cs to part with their former All-NBA point guard.

Why the New York Knicks do it

With the Brooklyn Nets looking like the team to beat in the east for the foreseeable future, the Knicks are likely to respond in the most profound way possible. The NYC-born Walker seems destined to play his home games at Madison Square Garden before it’s said and done, and the Cs can mine value on his deal before it ages even more.