11 Players the Celtics never should have gambled on

10. Kemba Walker

The Celtics needed a point guard after Kyrie Irving left for Brooklyn in free agency, and Kemba was the best free agent available. The three-time All-Star had spent his entire career in Charlotte but was eager to join a contender in Beantown.

He got a four-year $140 million from the Celtics, but it was quickly derailed by injuries. He missed just 35 total games in his eight seasons with the Hornets. The undersized point guard played just 56 in year one in Boston but made his fourth All-Star appearance and helped the Celtics reach the conference finals. Walker appeared in just 43 games in year two and was limited to three playoff contests as Boston was bounced in the opening round by Kyrie and the Nets.

The Celtics gave up Terry Rozier to get Walker and were forced to attach a first-round pick to trade him to the rebuilding Thunder in 2021. Boston wisely got Al Horford in the deal. Kemba was unable to finish his contract and played his last NBA game at 32 years old.

Injuries played a factor, and the franchise's unfortunate luck with point guards popped back up. The Kemba Walker signing turned into a disaster, but at least, the Boston Celtics got one All-Star season and a deep playoff run out of his massive contract.