The Boston Celtics were supposed to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference this season. Instead, they lost Jaylen Brown to injury later on in the season and wound up finishing as the No. 7 seed. After getting quickly eliminated by the Brooklyn Nets, the Celtics will be looking to make changes this offseason, including a potential trade involving point guard Kemba Walker. Things just haven’t been working out for the four-time All-Star, leading to both sides wanting to part ways.
The 31-year-old averaged 19.3 points/4.0 rebounds/4.9 assists in 43 games with the Celtics last season.
Bovada has released odds on potential Kemba Walker offseason trades. He’s actually favored to stay in Boston at +125 odds. On one hand, that makes sense because he’ll have a $36 million cap hit next season and some teams may not be willing to take that on. At the same time, that doesn’t mean that a trade is off the table.
If Walker does get moved, Bovada sees the Dallas Mavericks as the top suitors at +350 odds. After getting bounced by the Los Angeles Clippers in Round 1 of the 2020-21 playoffs, the Mavericks are looking to shake things up. It’s been reported that center Kristaps Porzingis could be on the move as the team looks for a No. 2 option who fits better alongside Luka Doncic. This move would make sense for both sides. Kemba Walker isn’t a ball-dominant guard, so he’d have no issue feeding Doncic with opportunities. It also works for the Celtics because they need a center who can shoot the ball, which is exactly what Porzingis is. Considering how Porzingis has a $31.6 million cap hit next season, it’s possible that a deal could be done.
Kemba Walker Odds: Where Will He Play Next Season?
Odds via Bovada as of Monday, June 14
- Boston Celtics (+125)
- Dallas Mavericks (+350)
- New York Knicks (+600)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (+600)
- New Orleans Pelicans (+800)
- Los Angeles Clippers (+1000)
- Detroit Pistons (+1200)
- Chicago Bulls (+1200)
Walker to the Knicks?
At +600 odds, the New York Knicks have the 3rd-best odds to have Kemba Walker on their roster next season. The Knicks shocked the NBA by finishing the season as the No. 4 seed, but it’s clear that they still need a solid starting point guard to take them to the next level. Derrick Rose was great in the role last season, but he’s an upcoming free agent.
Even if the Knicks do bring Rose back, it wouldn’t hurt to have Walker on the roster. Obviously, the 31-year-old is a bit past his prime and older than New York’s young core, but he’s the type of player that could elevate his teammates. Besides, it was only two years ago that he was an All-NBA Third Team player. There’s no guarantee that Walker will get back to that level, but he can still be an important piece of the Knick’s future.
Kemba Walker Odds: Oklahoma City Another Top Destination
After four first-round eliminations in a row, the Oklahoma City Thunder (+600) decided to start a rebuild in 2020-21. The team already has a lot of exciting young players and a ton of draft picks at their disposal, however, they don’t have a proper starting point guard. Eventually, someone will have to play alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Kemba Walker could be that guy.
A deal could materialize in one of two ways. On one hand, the Thunder have a lot of cap flexibility as Al Horford’s $27 million contract is the only one on the team above $6 million. In other words, meaning Oklahoma City could take on Kemba Walker and his big contract. On the other hand, the Thunder could send Horford back in a deal for the Celtics if they aren’t willing to give up assets. As mentioned earlier, Boston needs a shooting center and Horford fits that description.
