As the newest, biggest current trade in the NBA, Kemba Walker of the Boston Celtics has been traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Al Horford and Moses Brown. The Celtics are also sending their number 16 pick in this year’s NBA Draft and a 2025 second round pick to the Thunder, and the Thunder are sending their 2023 second round pick to the Celtics. Unsurprisingly, this trade was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter.
While this trade isn’t going to make either team championship contenders, it helps both of them. The Thunder will get another pick in this year’s draft in addition to their lottery pick. The 2025 second round pick may also provide some value, as we know how much Thunder GM Sam Presti loves draft picks. However, one has to wonder why the Thunder traded for Kemba Walker. This will be Walker’s third team in his career, and on the Celtics, it had shown that he lost a step and was injury prone. Factor in the $71.6 million the Thunder will owe him via his contract, and this really raises some eyebrows. The Thunder already have their point guard of the future in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, though they do need some depth, as their roster is built for taking and making the most out of their draft picks. Knowing Presti, he will either trade Walker for more draft picks or find some way to make use of him for their team.
As for the Celtics, players such as Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown will be delighted to have Al Horford back, even if he is a little bit older. Horford is now 35, though his first stint with the Celtics began in 2016, when he was 30 years old. He was named an All-Star at 31 in the 2017-18 season, and brings scoring, defense, rebounding, and leadership to a team that needs some guidance after now being led by a young duo of NBA All-Stars. With the Celtics, Horford has career averages of 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 4.6 assists on 49.8% shooting.
Moses Brown can not be overlooked either. A 7’2″ center drafted out of UCLA, Brown can play defense, score when need to, and rebound. Although he didn’t get much playing time for OKC, his per 36 minute numbers were 14.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game on 54.5% shooting. Once considered low on depth at the center position, the Celtics now have Brown, Tacko Fall, Tristan Thompson, Luke Kornet, Horford, and Robert Williams all at that position. That is a lot of centers for one team, so I’d expect to see Fall play some more in the G-League or for another trade to come shortly.
Who do you think one this deal? Let me know in the comments below, don’t forget to follow the NBA Blog, and as always, have an awesome day!
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I guess both teams see value in the trade. Presti gets another pick and Kemba Walker (still a very good player). Would not be surprised to see Fall Fall to the G-League (pun intended). In my opinion he needs to gain some muscle and experience. Speaking of trades, don’t be surprised if we see a mega trade in the next few weeks when the Pelicans trade Zion Williamson. I am looking forward to your next Blog.
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