The Boston Celtics have officially traded Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
In addition, Boston will send the 16th overall pick in this year’s draft and a 2025 second-round pick. The Thunder are trading Al Horford, Moses Brown, and a 2023 second-round pick back to the Celtics.
The Celtics are trading Kemba Walker, the No. 16 overall pick in the 2021 draft and a 2025 second-round draft pick to Oklahoma City for Al Horford, Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2021
Walker’s last year in Boston ended up being plagued by knee injuries. He sat out on night two of back-to-backs and still ended up having to miss time in the playoffs.
As for Horford, he makes his long-awaited return to Boston after a two-year absence. He spent the latter half of last season sidelined after mutually agreeing to not play as the Thunder went in a younger direction.
The Celtics get significantly more financial wiggle room by making this deal, as Walker was set to make $73 million more over the course of his contract.
They also pick up Brown in the deal, who has a breakout season with Oklahoma City. The 21-year-old, seven-foot-two center earned a contract extension with the Thunder that has him under team control until 2023-24 for less than $2 million.
Brown’s best game of the season came against the Celtics, ironically enough. He exploded for 21 points and 23 rebounds back in March.
The Thunder benefit from this deal as they add to their ever-expanding pool of draft picks. Meanwhile, the C’s bring back a familiar face and veteran presence, while also ridding themselves of a massive contract.
Brad Stevens completes the first deal of his tenure as President of Basketball Operations with this deal. It ended up being with Sam Presti, his long-time friend since back in his Butler days, according to Wojnarowski.
Brad Stevens’ first deal as President of Basketball Operations comes with Sam Presti, with whom he’s had a longtime friendship dating back to Butler days. Rare trade ahead of Chicago pre-draft combine, but sides got value they wanted now on a major deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2021
Woj also reports that the Thunder will most likely help Walker find another landing spot in the future. The team is in rebuild mode and plans on playing mostly younger players for the immediate future.
Boston now has a log-jam at the center position with Horford, Brown, Robert Williams, Tristan Thompson, and Grant Williams.
Get ready Boston Celtics fans. There should be more trades to come this offseason.