Boston Celtics: 3 realistic Kemba Walker trade targets

After a season of trying to find deals for the Boston Celtics to unload the two years and nearly $74 million left on Kemba Walker’s contract, Hardwood Houdini has been vindicated.

The new Celtics front office–led by the recently promoted former HC Brad Stevens–has finally caught on to why the bench consists of guys on their rookie deals and MLE signings.

News broke on Thursday afternoon, two days removed from Boston’s postseason elimination at the hands of the ultra-detestable Brooklyn Nets, that Walker is likely to be shopped this offseason.

According to Masslive’s Brian Robb, the Cs are not planning on keeping him, Evan Fournier, and Marcus Smart. Someone, if not several, if not all of them, could be on the chopping block because of the increased competition in the Eastern Conference:

"Bringing Smart back, re-signing Evan Fournier and keeping Kemba Walker is highly unlikely however since those salaries create a monster tax bill for ownership and a roster that probably still isn’t a contending core in the East given the firepower in Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Brooklyn."

Smart seems like the safest to stick around, with Fournier almost assuredly a goner. Walker will be the most difficult to move, but the Boston Celtics should be most motivated to move him because of his massive salary and deteriorated health.

If Brad Stevens deals Walker, Hardwood Houdini has a few targets in mind that would be realistic in returning to the lineup given the asset opposing teams would return in such a scenario:

Boston Celtics’ Kemba Walker trade target #1: Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes was linked to the Cs at the trade deadline this past March, and while some may question if yet another wing will move the needle forward, adding a two-way presence to the starting lineup and bolster the team’s versatility.

If the new Cs head coach decides to start Marcus Smart (assuming he’s still on the roster) at the 1, the entire starting lineup would be switchable on defense.

There are more exciting options, but the desperate Sacramento Kings would likely be willing to facilitate a three-team deal (they have no need for Walker with De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton) to offload a player who they haven’t seemed interested in retaining after handing him a massive extension.