Kemba Walker to Boston

The Needler

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Overall his trend looks pretty good...he's gone from being like a 32ish% shooter early in his career to more like a 37ish% shooter the last four years.

Have to assume he'll get better looks when he has some nice scorers like Tatum and Hayward around him.
For what it’s worth, according to NBA.com, the plurality of his 3pa last year (3.5 per game) were of the open (4-6 ft nearest defender) variety, and he shot 33.7% on those. For comparison’s sake, Kyrie only got 2.7 of those per game, and shot 37.6%.
 

Statman

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Isn't Woj wrong all the time? Not like I follow religiously, but for example pretty sure he just wrote a few days ago that KL was btw the Raps and the Clippers. But now he's meeting with the Lakers. I don't mean that as a criticism -- he's in the passing on scuttlebutt business, almost by definition a lot of that will be wrong.
Woj has no sources for the Celtics. He's notoriously wrong with it comes to the Celtics.

For example, he posted this literally minutes before David Aldridge scooped him and announced that Horford was signing with the Celtics:

Boston and Washington have rapidly lost hope of Al Horford leaving the Hawks, league sources tell @TheVertical.
4:11 PM - 2 Jul 2016
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/749379913954754560

In addition, his ESPN colleague Chris Haynes announces on Twitter that Hayward was signing with the Celtics and then Woj startings post crap like this:

Gordon Hayward's agent, Mark Bartelstein, tells ESPN: "Gordon hasn't made a decision yet. We are still working through it."
11:34 AM - 4 Jul 2017
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/882306656188731393

I am actually worried that Woj is reporting that Walker is basically a shoe in to sign with the Celtics. He's like the kiss of death when it comes to Celtics news.
 

Light-Tower-Power

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Maybe he has Charlotte sources? Woj has been parading around ESPN saying that Kemba is signing with the Celtics. I’d be shocked if he stuck his neck out like this and was wrong.
 

benhogan

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I don’t like how much of a foregone conclusion this seems like. There always seems to be some plot twist. Is there going to be a last minute suitor or does Kemba simply prefer Boston?
There is zero upside for the Celtic's to leak their intention to sign Kemba (unless Kemba is not their intent)

The source for all this reporting is probably Kemba's agent. Announcing this 5 days ahead of Sunday is a dead giveaway, it gives the Hornets time to offer the 5yr super-max or other teams to enter the bidding.

Kemba in Green is still a coin toss

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-odds-celtics-jump-hornets-172053911.html
 

Red Averages

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Woj has no sources for the Celtics. He's notoriously wrong with it comes to the Celtics.

For example, he posted this literally minutes before David Aldridge scooped him and announced that Horford was signing with the Celtics:



https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/749379913954754560

In addition, his ESPN colleague Chris Haynes announces on Twitter that Hayward was signing with the Celtics and then Woj startings post crap like this:



https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/882306656188731393

I am actually worried that Woj is reporting that Walker is basically a shoe in to sign with the Celtics. He's like the kiss of death when it comes to Celtics news.
Of course, the Horford signing was three years ago and Hayward confirmed that he hadn’t made a choice yet when Haynes made his post, making Woj more right.

Not sure why everyone is so terrified about this, it seems about as done as a deal could be.
 

luckiestman

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Of course, the Horford signing was three years ago and Hayward confirmed that he hadn’t made a choice yet when Haynes made his post, making Woj more right.

Not sure why everyone is so terrified about this, it seems about as done as a deal could be.

I thought Hayward said that because the players tribune had an exclusive. I could be remembering this wrong as it was a hectic story. I remember being at the beach and constantly going into the shade to look at my phone.
 

Cellar-Door

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I thought Hayward said that because the players tribune had an exclusive. I could be remembering this wrong as it was a hectic story. I remember being at the beach and constantly going into the shade to look at my phone.
If I remember right, it was that someone leaked to Haynes that Hayward was leaning towards Boston, Haynes reported it as done. Hayward was upset because he hadn't had the final sit-down to decide and write up his goodbye to Utah etc. so his agent came out and said that the decision wasn't made. Then Hayward had the sitdown with his agent and family, decided on Boston and wrote up his Player's Tribune piece.
 

HomeRunBaker

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There is zero upside for the Celtic's to leak their intention to sign Kemba (unless Kemba is not their intent)

The source for all this reporting is probably Kemba's agent. Announcing this 5 days ahead of Sunday is a dead giveaway, it gives the Hornets time to offer the 5yr super-max or other teams to enter the bidding.

Kemba in Green is still a coin toss
You know the adage.......if you’re wondering who leaked the rumor then ask yourself who benefits the most from the leak.

It seems obvious this is all coming from Kemba’s camp to get MJ to increase his number as remaining a Hornet is undoubtedly his first choice. Kemba has been preaching for over a year how badly he wants to spend his entire career in Charlotte. He even got desperate enough to publicly say he’d take less than max to remain in hopes of getting an offer from MJ.

I’m skeptical this is a done deal. I agree on your 50/50.

Edit: read last few posts above mine. It really does sound like it is done for Woj to go out on a limb like this.
 
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Cellar-Door

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Agreed with bowiac's point. We even discussed with a few years ago with Isaiah prior to knowing about his hip problems. Even without the hip, Isaiah would likely be falling off a cliff right about now.


You know the adage.......if you’re wondering who leaked the rumor then ask yourself who benefits the most from the leak.

It seems obvious this is all coming from Kemba’s camp to get MJ to increase his number as remaining a Hornet is undoubtedly his first choice. Kemba has been preaching for over a year how badly he wants to spend his entire career in Charlotte. He even got desperate enough to publicly say he’d take less than max to remain in hopes of getting an offer from MJ.

I’m skeptical this is a done deal. I agree on your 50/50.

Edit: read last few posts above mine. It really does sound like it is done for Woj to go out on a limb like this.
I would guess Kemba's agent leaked it to see if CHA would at least go to 5/185, once they didn't it became basically a done deal.
 

djbayko

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If I remember right, it was that someone leaked to Haynes that Hayward was leaning towards Boston, Haynes reported it as done. Hayward was upset because he hadn't had the final sit-down to decide and write up his goodbye to Utah etc. so his agent came out and said that the decision wasn't made. Then Hayward had the sitdown with his agent and family, decided on Boston and wrote up his Player's Tribune piece.
Pretty sure the decision had been made and Gordon was blindsided by the leak. The report that it hasn’t was PR spin to allow Gordon the time to publish an article, as intended, to soften the blow. Lo and behold, he chose Boston. Who would have thunk?
 

Eddie Jurak

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It's usually, but not always (Hi Deandre Jordan) a done deal once player and signing team announces that it is a done deal. Not before.
 

BigSoxFan

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I am officially back into next season again. Kemba is a really, really good player.
 

Eddie Jurak

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The intriguing question is whether they can pull something like this off:

Ryan Bernardoni: For the sake of argument, let’s say Horford to New Orleans and Rozier to Charlotte. A 3-team S&T carousel really does benefit everyone. BOS and NOP both preserve the MLE and some FA rights they may want, CHA gets a PG they otherwise don’t have space to sign.
 

Cellar-Door

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The intriguing question is whether they can pull something like this off:

Ryan Bernardoni: For the sake of argument, let’s say Horford to New Orleans and Rozier to Charlotte. A 3-team S&T carousel really does benefit everyone. BOS and NOP both preserve the MLE and some FA rights they may want, CHA gets a PG they otherwise don’t have space to sign.
Interesting, could be complicated in that CHA has to be willing to give Rozier a significant contract, probably more than he would cost on the market to get him to agree (but then they don't have to use an asset to dump biyombo) ...

Fake edit- as I was typing his new twqeet came up that he screwed up and it doesn't work
https://twitter.com/dangercart/status/1145075452903641088


Actually, I’m being dumb. New Orleans would have to use cap space to make the trade and so would lose the MLE anyway.
 

ifmanis5

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The intriguing question is whether they can pull something like this off:

Ryan Bernardoni: For the sake of argument, let’s say Horford to New Orleans and Rozier to Charlotte. A 3-team S&T carousel really does benefit everyone. BOS and NOP both preserve the MLE and some FA rights they may want, CHA gets a PG they otherwise don’t have space to sign.
That is some evil genius thinking.

Kemba has always worn #15, would they give him KG's #5?
 

Eddie Jurak

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Actually, I’m being dumb. New Orleans would have to use cap space to make the trade and so would lose the MLE anyway.
That just means N.O. would need to get another asset out of it, though. Rozier would probably not choose Charlotte, although he could be persuaded by little green reasons. So Rozier gets a good contract, Boston sends cash to Charlotte along with Rozier, and Boston needs to give the Pelicans something else along with Horford. Their first next year?
 

JCizzle

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Damn. I didn't think there was a chance in hell we could get another guy like this so soon. Hyped for next year!
 

NomarsFool

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I really wish there was some genius trick Ainge could pull off to get Horford as well. That is the piece that is really missing from this team being a real contender.
 

Light-Tower-Power

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About a week or so ago there was a quote from Jim Calhoun that “Celtics fans will love Kemba”. Will not would. At first I thought it was just the way the quote was reported but now I wonder if this has been wink wink for a while.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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I really wish there was some genius trick Ainge could pull off to get Horford as well. That is the piece that is really missing from this team being a real contender.
Even with Horford they would still be very thin. I know Baynes is well loved around these parts and his minutes will be hard to replace. And while Mook and Rozier aren't even liked around here, their minutes will also be hard to replace.

This team was never going to contend after last year with no Davis to combine with Kyrie and Horford. Walker just gives them a credible Irving replacement while they see if Tatum and Brown can continue to improve.
 

pjheff

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Bench is going to be paper thin to start the year but Danny is going to pull off a Kyrie for Kemba swap. That’s nuts.
Not his fault, but it looks like he’s going to pull of a Kyrie, Horford, Rozier, and Morris for Kemba swap. And it’s to his credit that he’s going to come out of this offseason down only one max player rather than two.
 

Dollar

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About a week or so ago there was a quote from Jim Calhoun that “Celtics fans will love Kemba”. Will not would. At first I thought it was just the way the quote was reported but now I wonder if this has been wink wink for a while.
“He understands the New England passion,” said Calhoun. “When we’d get to the Sweet 16 we’d usually be the only New England team remaining. So we sort of were adopted by New England. Trust me, he understands how important winning is up here.

"If he chooses Boston," said Calhoun, "Boston will love Kemba."

https://www.eagletribune.com/sports/national_sports/boston-will-love-kemba-former-uconn-coach-jim-calhoun-says/article_303c5424-7980-5891-919f-20e31868c87b.html
Not exactly how you described it.
 

Light-Tower-Power

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“He understands the New England passion,” said Calhoun. “When we’d get to the Sweet 16 we’d usually be the only New England team remaining. So we sort of were adopted by New England. Trust me, he understands how important winning is up here.

"If he chooses Boston," said Calhoun, "Boston will love Kemba."

https://www.eagletribune.com/sports/national_sports/boston-will-love-kemba-former-uconn-coach-jim-calhoun-says/article_303c5424-7980-5891-919f-20e31868c87b.html
Not exactly how you described it.
Good catch. Twitter headlines got me.
 

mcpickl

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The intriguing question is whether they can pull something like this off:

Ryan Bernardoni: For the sake of argument, let’s say Horford to New Orleans and Rozier to Charlotte. A 3-team S&T carousel really does benefit everyone. BOS and NOP both preserve the MLE and some FA rights they may want, CHA gets a PG they otherwise don’t have space to sign.
I was thinking about this today and came up with this, wonder how far I'm off on value.

New Orleans gets a signed and traded Al Horford and a second round pick from Charlotte
Charlotte gets Guerschon Yabusele, and 2010 2nd rounder Latavious Williams from New Orleans(a zero just to satisfy NBA touch rule, could be replaced with Tony Carr)
Boston receives a signed and traded Kemba Walker and Marvin Williams

So Charlotte would save 12M for just a second round pick, New Orleans would receive that second round pick for facilitating the deal, and Boston would add 12M in salary but get a player in Marvin Williams who'd be in the rotation, and would also give Boston options to fill out the roster. Instead of just having the 4.75M or so room exception, Theis Early Bird rights and minimums to complete the roster, the Celtics would be hard capped at the 138M apron, and would be around 21M under it after the trade. They'd have these options to spend that 21M.

Morris Bird rights
Rozier RFA/Bird rights
Theis Early Bird rights
Baynes 5.5M trade exception
The 9.25Mish Non taxpayer midlevel exception
The 3.6Mish biannual exception
Minimum salaries

I think it would have to be worth it for Boston to open up those options, worth it for New Orleans as they get something for free, is that worth it for Charlotte? Is them losing a secong round pick worth saving 12M on Marvin Williams? Or am I underrating Williams value? I'm viewing him as a sunk cost for Charlotte.
 

benhogan

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You know the adage.......if you’re wondering who leaked the rumor then ask yourself who benefits the most from the leak.

It seems obvious this is all coming from Kemba’s camp to get MJ to increase his number as remaining a Hornet is undoubtedly his first choice. Kemba has been preaching for over a year how badly he wants to spend his entire career in Charlotte. He even got desperate enough to publicly say he’d take less than max to remain in hopes of getting an offer from MJ.

I’m skeptical this is a done deal. I agree on your 50/50.

Edit: read last few posts above mine. It really does sound like it is done for Woj to go out on a limb like this.
HRB, don't follow my coin toss nonsense. Looks like I'm very incorrect here.

Not only is Kemba flying here, but it sounds like MJ put him on his private jet. And is bringing Terry back home with him.

I'll continue with my bad predictions and say Danny's next step is to use whatever pull he has with Bird and deal Hayward/Edwards (Indiana legends) for Myles Turner*. Adding a 5 that can protect the rim, extends the floor, with the same timeline as Brown/Tatum while opening up cap space is a no brainer. If we need to add draft picks (not Memphis), do it Danny.

Before anyone jumps on me saying there is NO WAY the Pacers do this, there are numerous reports of them wanting to deal either Sabonis or Turner for a wing. One local Indy reporter suggested Sabonis & more for Gordon Hayward. Indy has the cap space but is unable to attract the big name players. This solves a few of their issues (Edwards would add bench scoring). They also would be left with enough cap space to bring back Nate McMillan favorite Thad Young.

plus lovegtm would breathe easy knowing Jaylen Brown is part of the long term future here.

*If Indy would rather do Sabonis instead of Turner, that also works. That would open up serious cap space for the Celtics.
 
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lovegtm

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HRB, don't follow my coin toss nonsense. Looks like I'm very incorrect here.

Not only is Kemba flying here, but it sounds like MJ put him on his private jet. And bringing Terry back home with him.

I'll continue with my bad predictions and say Danny's next step is to use whatever pull he has with Bird and deal Hayward/Edwards (Indiana legends) for Myles Turner*. Adding a 5 that can protect the rim, extends the floor, with the same timeline as Brown/Tatum while opening up cap space is a no brainer. If we need to add draft picks (not Memphis), do it Danny.

Before anyone jumps on me saying there is NO WAY the Pacers do this, there are numerous reports of them wanting to deal either Sabonis or Turner for a wing. One local Indy reporter suggested Sabonis & more for Gordon Hayward. Indy has the cap space but is unable to attract the big name players. This solves a few of their issues (Edwards would add bench scoring). They also would be left with enough cap space to bring back Nate McMillan favorite Thad Young.

plus lovegtm would breathe easy knowing Jaylen Brown is part of the long term future here.

*If Indy would rather do Sabonis instead of Turner, that also works. That would open up serious cap space for the Celtics.
Obviously if Indy somehow wanted to do Sabonis or Turner for Hayward, that’s a no-brainer.

As for Brown, it’s not that I think he’s untouchable (I’d probably deal him for Turner if the money worked, which it doesn’t). It’s that he’s shown enough that I wouldn’t want to sell low before giving him a chance in a reasonable situation, if for nothing else than to let another team dream on him.
 

Cellar-Door

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I was thinking about this today and came up with this, wonder how far I'm off on value.

New Orleans gets a signed and traded Al Horford and a second round pick from Charlotte
Charlotte gets Guerschon Yabusele, and 2010 2nd rounder Latavious Williams from New Orleans(a zero just to satisfy NBA touch rule, could be replaced with Tony Carr)
Boston receives a signed and traded Kemba Walker and Marvin Williams

So Charlotte would save 12M for just a second round pick, New Orleans would receive that second round pick for facilitating the deal, and Boston would add 12M in salary but get a player in Marvin Williams who'd be in the rotation, and would also give Boston options to fill out the roster. Instead of just having the 4.75M or so room exception, Theis Early Bird rights and minimums to complete the roster, the Celtics would be hard capped at the 138M apron, and would be around 21M under it after the trade. They'd have these options to spend that 21M.

Morris Bird rights
Rozier RFA/Bird rights
Theis Early Bird rights
Baynes 5.5M trade exception
The 9.25Mish Non taxpayer midlevel exception
The 3.6Mish biannual exception
Minimum salaries

I think it would have to be worth it for Boston to open up those options, worth it for New Orleans as they get something for free, is that worth it for Charlotte? Is them losing a secong round pick worth saving 12M on Marvin Williams? Or am I underrating Williams value? I'm viewing him as a sunk cost for Charlotte.
As far as I can tell that wouldn't work under the cap. New Orleans is going to struggle to get over 30M in cap space (and even if they did I can't imagine they intend to pay Al more than 30m a year) so add Yabu and you're at about 33.2M outgoing, so the max they can take back is 45.25M. Given Kemba's max and Williams' salary the Celtics would need to add another 2.5-3M to the trade.

edit- probably need to add even more because based on rumors Al is looking at the 26-29M range for year 1.
 

benhogan

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Obviously if Indy somehow wanted to do Sabonis or Turner for Hayward, that’s a no-brainer.

As for Brown, it’s not that I think he’s untouchable (I’d probably deal him for Turner if the money worked, which it doesn’t). It’s that he’s shown enough that I wouldn’t want to sell low before giving him a chance in a reasonable situation, if for nothing else than to let another team dream on him.
if signing Enes Kanter and having Hayward play the 4 are the next steps then purgatory awaits
 

Cellar-Door

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if signing Enes Kanter and having Hayward play the 4 are the next steps then purgatory awaits
Hayward at the 4 was pretty successful last year, and the Tatum/Brown/Hayward trio came out pretty well, I posted the +/- somewhere last week. Most of the league plays perimeter 4s for most of their minutes and Hayward matches up well on both ends for that.

I don't like Kanter as a signing at all if it's for the room exception, for the minimum.... sure.

I'm not at all worried about the 4 spot, I'm very worried about the 5. I assume they get a decent player with the room exception, and someone less decent at the minimum. There is the potential for some interesting guys on the buyout or cheap trade markets later in the year.
 

bigq

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Signing Walker is fantastic. Looking forward to the season. NBA offseason continues to entertain. I don’t think Danny is done.
 

Eddie Jurak

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I'll continue with my bad predictions and say Danny's next step is to use whatever pull he has with Bird and deal Hayward/Edwards (Indiana legends) for Myles Turner*. Adding a 5 that can protect the rim, extends the floor, with the same timeline as Brown/Tatum while opening up cap space is a no brainer. If we need to add draft picks (not Memphis), do it Danny.

Before anyone jumps on me saying there is NO WAY the Pacers do this, there are numerous reports of them wanting to deal either Sabonis or Turner for a wing. One local Indy reporter suggested Sabonis & more for Gordon Hayward. Indy has the cap space but is unable to attract the big name players. This solves a few of their issues (Edwards would add bench scoring). They also would be left with enough cap space to bring back Nate McMillan favorite Thad Young.
I won't say there's no way. I do think it would be a huge risk for Indy, so I'm skeptical. From Boston's perspective it makes a lot of sense.