The NBA free agency period is a day away, and rumors are circulating. Since the end of the season, the futures of certain free agents have been the topic of conversation. Both fans and the league are waiting to see where players such as Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard land this summer. This year’s free agency period features several talented players that can make an impact on any team.
While Irving, Durant and Leonard are some of the marquee names, there are excellent second and third-tier players who can make an impact on new teams. One of the second/third-tier players that teams are interested in is a skilled point guard with a knack for scoring. He is considered the second-best point guard in the free agency period. The point guard is none other than Kemba Walker.
Walker is a 6-foot guard that started his career with the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets (then known as the Bobcats) drafted Walker back in 2011. They selected him with the ninth pick of that year’s draft. He has played for the Hornets ever since. However, there is a possibility that he’ll change teams this summer. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Celtics are the front-runners in signing Walker.
Wojnarowski said that Walker’s stint with the Hornets could be coming to an end with Hornets owner Michael Jordan no longer determined to extend far enough financially to retain his star player. With this in mind, Walker will meet with Celtics GM Danny Ainge after free agency opens.
Kemba Walker and Kyrie Irving (Photo by Getty Images)
If Walker and the Celtics agree to deal, he will likely receive a four-year, $141 million deal. Walker is the No.1 priority for the Celtics as they look to replace Kyrie Irving. The Celtics can renounce the rights to Terry Rozier ( a restricted free agent) to clear space for Walker. After a roller-coaster season with Irving, the addition of Walker could help the Celtics remain a threat in the East. So, it is a deal worth considering.
Walker has been with the Hornets through their ups and downs. He has been with the Hornets as they have been in and out of the playoffs. Regardless of the Hornets’ performance in various seasons, Walker plays hard and remains their star.
This year, he averaged a career-high 25.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 82 games. He made the All-Star team for the third time in his career. Walker played well and deserves a max deal or close to it. If the Hornets do not offer him the right deal, there is a good chance he’ll move on.
If this is the case, the Celtics have a great chance at landing him. It is only a matter of sealing the deal.
Featured image courtesy of Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
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