Puzzling Boston Celtics free agent reunion pitched by NBA writer

For some reason, FanNation’s Fast Break writer Ben Stinar pitched a reunion between the Boston Celtics and Kemba Walker ahead of the playoffs in a piece published on March 30. Stinar acknowledged that Walker’s career is in a much different place than it was the last time the Bronx native wore green.

“Walker is not the star he once was, but he has a lot of experience, and there would be no risk in signing him,” Stinar pleaded. “From 2019-21, the former UConn star played 99 regular season games with the Celtics and averaged 19.9 points, 4.8 assists and 3.9 rebounds per contest. In 2020, he also helped lead the team to the Eastern Conference Finals as their starting point guard. The NBA Playoffs are a lot different than the regular season, and sometimes role players can have a significant impact on winning a series or not.”

Stinar made the case that the Celtics could use the added depth that the former All-NBA floor general would bring to Boston. “Injuries, foul trouble and slumps are all things that can happen to starting players, so having the right reserves is essential,” Stinar wrote.

The Boston Celtics already have depth problems in backcourt

Walker would have to get in line if he were to sign with the Boston Celtics. Payton Pritchard is already waiting on his chance to get minutes behind Marcus Smart, Derrick White, and Malcolm Brogdon — and he’ll likely be traded in the offseason before getting those minutes.

Pritchard already let it be known to Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner on the Point Forward podcast what he’s looking for.

“We’ve had that discussion but — a bigger role,” Pritchard said. “I want to be part of a winning culture but I want to also help that, be a really big piece of that. I’m not saying it’s the best player on the team but I don’t know what my future holds unless I can take that next step. I don’t know what it is in five or 10 years but I just want to look back and know that I put my best foot forward. I put all the work in so whatever happens I can live with as long as I did it my way. That’s the most important thing for me.”

Adding Walker for the playoffs — and giving him any minutes over Pritchard at any point — would push the Oregon product out the door. Don’t expect Walker to sign with the Celtics ahead of the postseason, though you should still expect a Pritchard deal this offseason.