The Boston Celtics have become the frontrunners to sign free-agent point guard Kemba Walker, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania added that Walker and his current team, the Charlotte Hornets, are still not close to reaching an agreement on a new contract, either.
The Celtics may have plenty of cap space to complete a deal for Walker, as they are preparing for both Kyrie Irving and Al Horford to pursue free agency.
The Charlotte Hornets can offer Walker the supermax extension this summer, a deal which would pay the guard over $221 million. However, the Hornets aren’t in a position to contend in the Eastern Conference right now. If Walker joins the Celtics, he would have a better chance to go deep in the playoffs.
"Yeah, why not? Yeah, I would be. I would take less, yeah," Walker told reporters. He added that trying to find a way to stay in Charlotte is his "first priority."
The most another team can offer him is a four-year, $140 million deal in free agency.
Kemba has only made the postseason twice with the Hornets since coming into the league back in 2011.
This past season, Walker averaged 25.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists while shooting 43.4 percent from the field, 35.6 percent from beyond the arc and 84.4 percent from the free-throw line. Irving may be a little bit better than Walker, but Kemba isn’t the diva that Kyrie is.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens is believed to be a big fan of Walker.
Landing Walker represents a massive step toward a successful offseason for the Celtics. Their guard and wing spots would be set as Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart join him in the rotation.
The roster would still need work, however, with the starting tandem of Al Horford and Marcus Morris both set to hit the open market Sunday.
