Kemba Walker (Kemba to formalize agreement on Sunday, pg 40)

[GreenFaith1819]

Boy - with our tough, defensive AND offensive-minded roster, Kemba would average about 22-23 ppg...his assists would go up from 5.9 to over 7...he is a good defensive player already...

Dude would be a constant threat to go off on ANY night, as well...he carried CHA MANY nights....he wouldn't have to do that here.....

He'd have a pit bull next to him in Marcus Smart.....he'd have a GH that would be two years removed from his injury....

He'd have FAR more weapons to take the load off of him scoring-wise here in BOS....willing weapons.

Dude seems to have ZERO quit in him.

[celticsclay]

Unreal you guys wanting Kemba so bad.  Let's move on as quickly as possible whatever the cost so we have good feelings again

It’s not about feelings, it’s about building a winning team.

Yea, to be honest I find it very confusing why any team would not want a top 15 player in the NBA that was still performing exceptionally with a horrible supporting cast in Charlotte.... he is also 29.. what is the issue of him signing with us?

It is all just a matter of if that is the best use of the cap space.  It might very well be, but it also continues Boston's trend of signing good to very good free agents, but not landing any great ones and at the end of the day you need great players to really contend for championships.  Walker is a very good player, but he isn't making this team a contender, so is the team better off using the cap space in a different manner.  I think that is the question.

It's a fair question, but is there any alternative way to use the cap space that you can think of that would help us more? Unless you think KD or Kawhi are coming here, I'm not sure what else we can do

I think I'd take a flyer on Cousins.  He at least has the potential to be great (and then sign someone like Rubio to man the point).  That said, the other option would be using the cap space as a dumping ground to collect assets, which can be used in the future (either as players to build around Tatum or as assets in trades).  Again, Walker may very well be the best use of the cap space, especially if Cousins isn't interested, but as we saw last year (with Horford) Boston isn't a contender so adding a player similar to Irving isn't going to make the team better (Irving is slightly better than Walker, though he is less healthy so they are probably about a wash as to total value).

Yuck.

Yea, I mean we basically could have had Cousins for 5 million dollars last year. The fact that we did not offer a contract of any sort (from any reporting I saw) suggests that we were not really interested. Cousins would also be 29 when the season starts and I am not sure if he is going ever be the same as he was. I think we have to hope that we can get a capable vet center at small money or the exception and then see what we could swing the memphis pick and smart or others from over the course of the season.

[GetLucky]

Would be a little concerned about big depth but super psyched to get Kemba. I remember him thoroughly outplaying Kyrie on both ends when the C’s played Charlotte this year.

[CF033]

It's not a reason to sign Walker, but there would be some delicious irony in Irving leaving, only for us to sign the guy who's basically his closest replacement except with better chemistry, leading us to a deep playoff run while Irving either (a) languishes in BKN for a year while KD rehabs, or (b) goes crawling back to Lebron.

I truly hope you are right and we have good chemistry. Still a lot of mouths to feed. Kemba jacked up 20 shots a game last year in Charlotte at low efficiency. I'm really hoping he'll take that number of shots down considerably (along with his Usage%) to spread the ball around.

If he plays the same as last year in Charlotte he won't work here IMO.

[GetLucky]

Unreal you guys wanting Kemba so bad.  Let's move on as quickly as possible whatever the cost so we have good feelings again

It’s not about feelings, it’s about building a winning team.

Yea, to be honest I find it very confusing why any team would not want a top 15 player in the NBA that was still performing exceptionally with a horrible supporting cast in Charlotte.... he is also 29.. what is the issue of him signing with us?

It is all just a matter of if that is the best use of the cap space.  It might very well be, but it also continues Boston's trend of signing good to very good free agents, but not landing any great ones and at the end of the day you need great players to really contend for championships.  Walker is a very good player, but he isn't making this team a contender, so is the team better off using the cap space in a different manner.  I think that is the question.

It's a fair question, but is there any alternative way to use the cap space that you can think of that would help us more? Unless you think KD or Kawhi are coming here, I'm not sure what else we can do

I think I'd take a flyer on Cousins.  He at least has the potential to be great (and then sign someone like Rubio to man the point).  That said, the other option would be using the cap space as a dumping ground to collect assets, which can be used in the future (either as players to build around Tatum or as assets in trades).  Again, Walker may very well be the best use of the cap space, especially if Cousins isn't interested, but as we saw last year (with Horford) Boston isn't a contender so adding a player similar to Irving isn't going to make the team better (Irving is slightly better than Walker, though he is less healthy so they are probably about a wash as to total value).

Yuck.

Yea, I mean we basically could have had Cousins for 5 million dollars last year. The fact that we did not offer a contract of any sort (from any reporting I saw) suggests that we were not really interested. Cousins would also be 29 when the season starts and I am not sure if he is going ever be the same as he was. I think we have to hope that we can get a capable vet center at small money or the exception and then see what we could swing the memphis pick and smart or others from over the course of the season.

Apparently by the time word got out he was willing to take the MLE , he had already signed with GS. I remember a tweet from a legit reporter saying by the time the C’s heard and started doing due diligence, Cousins had already committed to GS.

[Tr1boy]

I'm fine with Walker he can be a beast, hope he does not become a ball pounding ball hog. But what in the world are we doing about an empty back court??

this is also a worry I have about him

But watching games in depth.... he is different than Irving

- goes to the line more. Doesn't shy away from contact
- doesn't always need to dribble/pound the ball before passing
- has a good spot up 3 point shot
- a terror in transition

- Also of course, a better defender.  Physical and more consistent effort


 

[nickagneta]

Unreal you guys wanting Kemba so bad.  Let's move on as quickly as possible whatever the cost so we have good feelings again

It’s not about feelings, it’s about building a winning team.

Yea, to be honest I find it very confusing why any team would not want a top 15 player in the NBA that was still performing exceptionally with a horrible supporting cast in Charlotte.... he is also 29.. what is the issue of him signing with us?

It is all just a matter of if that is the best use of the cap space.  It might very well be, but it also continues Boston's trend of signing good to very good free agents, but not landing any great ones and at the end of the day you need great players to really contend for championships.  Walker is a very good player, but he isn't making this team a contender, so is the team better off using the cap space in a different manner.  I think that is the question.

It's a fair question, but is there any alternative way to use the cap space that you can think of that would help us more? Unless you think KD or Kawhi are coming here, I'm not sure what else we can do

I think I'd take a flyer on Cousins.  He at least has the potential to be great (and then sign someone like Rubio to man the point).  That said, the other option would be using the cap space as a dumping ground to collect assets, which can be used in the future (either as players to build around Tatum or as assets in trades).  Again, Walker may very well be the best use of the cap space, especially if Cousins isn't interested, but as we saw last year (with Horford) Boston isn't a contender so adding a player similar to Irving isn't going to make the team better (Irving is slightly better than Walker, though he is less healthy so they are probably about a wash as to total value).

Yuck.

I agree. The potential for Cousins to revert back to the dink he was in Sacramento is high and he doesn't look anywhere near the player he was before his Achilles blew out.

Major Achilles injuries are still the injuries that, IMHO, causes a player to lose his former playing ability the most. I don't see Cousins, or Durant for that matter, returning to their past abilities. For that reason, a hard pass on Boogie.

Walker is a tremendous get. I think a trade to add a big, whether this season or next, is where Danny goes next and could just add a placeholder player this year with the room exception. JaVale McGee? Enes Kanter? DeWayne Dedmon? They all seem like decent one or two year placeholder types you might get for $4.7 million per.

[celticsclay]

Unreal you guys wanting Kemba so bad.  Let's move on as quickly as possible whatever the cost so we have good feelings again

It’s not about feelings, it’s about building a winning team.

Yea, to be honest I find it very confusing why any team would not want a top 15 player in the NBA that was still performing exceptionally with a horrible supporting cast in Charlotte.... he is also 29.. what is the issue of him signing with us?

It is all just a matter of if that is the best use of the cap space.  It might very well be, but it also continues Boston's trend of signing good to very good free agents, but not landing any great ones and at the end of the day you need great players to really contend for championships.  Walker is a very good player, but he isn't making this team a contender, so is the team better off using the cap space in a different manner.  I think that is the question.

It's a fair question, but is there any alternative way to use the cap space that you can think of that would help us more? Unless you think KD or Kawhi are coming here, I'm not sure what else we can do

I think I'd take a flyer on Cousins.  He at least has the potential to be great (and then sign someone like Rubio to man the point).  That said, the other option would be using the cap space as a dumping ground to collect assets, which can be used in the future (either as players to build around Tatum or as assets in trades).  Again, Walker may very well be the best use of the cap space, especially if Cousins isn't interested, but as we saw last year (with Horford) Boston isn't a contender so adding a player similar to Irving isn't going to make the team better (Irving is slightly better than Walker, though he is less healthy so they are probably about a wash as to total value).

Yuck.

Yea, I mean we basically could have had Cousins for 5 million dollars last year. The fact that we did not offer a contract of any sort (from any reporting I saw) suggests that we were not really interested. Cousins would also be 29 when the season starts and I am not sure if he is going ever be the same as he was. I think we have to hope that we can get a capable vet center at small money or the exception and then see what we could swing the memphis pick and smart or others from over the course of the season.

Apparently by the time word got out he was willing to take the MLE , he had already signed with GS. I remember a tweet from a legit reporter saying by the time the C’s heard and started doing due diligence, Cousins had already committed to GS.

This seems kind Celtics kind of doing pr. Cousins agreed to sign with Warriors July 3rd. It wasn't like he struck a deal at the moment free agency struck. How long did the Celtics need to do due diligence on? If we wait to do that this year we will be picking through scraps.

[cltc5]

Prime Kemba Walker?

Yes SIR, please.

Dude just turned 29 in May...currently in his prime...

"IF" Kyrie is indeed out the door - why NOT Kemba? Why isn't the voting like 70 yes's and 10 or 20 no's?

The last player - IIRC - that was in a similar situation (age and contract-wise) with Kemba that we won the bidding war on was none other than Al Horford...and Big Al was HUGE for us during his time here..

Get Kemba if we can.........

Dude has Celtic DNA in him...hard worker...low-maintenance...team-player....seems to STILL be improving...

Nearly EVERY player that has walked through Coach Stevens' doors has improved in BOS...Kemba would be no different.

Get him, give him the rock and get the heck out the way.

I can get behind this man.

Until he becomes a ball dominant pg and complaints come in that certain players aren’t developing.  Then we’re stuck with an older version of kyrie/IT on a bad contract.  Yippppeeee!

[gouki88]

Unreal you guys wanting Kemba so bad.  Let's move on as quickly as possible whatever the cost so we have good feelings again

It’s not about feelings, it’s about building a winning team.

Yea, to be honest I find it very confusing why any team would not want a top 15 player in the NBA that was still performing exceptionally with a horrible supporting cast in Charlotte.... he is also 29.. what is the issue of him signing with us?

It is all just a matter of if that is the best use of the cap space.  It might very well be, but it also continues Boston's trend of signing good to very good free agents, but not landing any great ones and at the end of the day you need great players to really contend for championships.  Walker is a very good player, but he isn't making this team a contender, so is the team better off using the cap space in a different manner.  I think that is the question.

It's a fair question, but is there any alternative way to use the cap space that you can think of that would help us more? Unless you think KD or Kawhi are coming here, I'm not sure what else we can do

I think I'd take a flyer on Cousins.  He at least has the potential to be great (and then sign someone like Rubio to man the point).  That said, the other option would be using the cap space as a dumping ground to collect assets, which can be used in the future (either as players to build around Tatum or as assets in trades).  Again, Walker may very well be the best use of the cap space, especially if Cousins isn't interested, but as we saw last year (with Horford) Boston isn't a contender so adding a player similar to Irving isn't going to make the team better (Irving is slightly better than Walker, though he is less healthy so they are probably about a wash as to total value).

I can't ever see Cousins returning to the 25/12/4 guy he was, and he's a truly shocking defender now, so I would rather get Kemba

[KGs Knee]

Kemba would be a nice consolation prize if we are indeed losing Kyrie, but given it will also come at the expense of losing Horford as well, I'm not sure it will actually make a difference.

[mmmmm]

What's the chance that Kemba & his people are using the media/Celtics as leverage simply to get Charlotte to cave rather than him being truly interested in Boston?

I'm dubious that's the case for a few reasons.

I think Walker's interest in Boston is legit.

First off, he and Hayward are apparently close pals.  Remember, originally when Gordon first reached RFA he signed an offer sheet to go play with Kemba in Charlotte ... only for the Jazz to match and pull him back.   

Second, Kemba does have local connections, from his time at U Conn.

Third, he has to have noticed that Brad's system has been _very_ friendly to small, quick scoring guards, with IT4 putting up two historic offensive seasons and Kyrie making All-NBA.

Fourth, he has to realize that Charlotte's ownership/management team has just sucked for like, forever.  It can't be unattractive to him to come to work at a more professionally run organization.

So I think there are plenty of reasons why Kemba would really, legitimately want to come here.

[Tr1boy]

The Kemba Walker-to-Boston hype train has left the station, and his former college coach is on board.

Jim Calhoun, who coached Walker and the UConn Huskies to an NCAA title in 2011, has seen the reports that the Celtics are trying to lure the All-Star point guard away from the Charlotte Hornets in free agency.

And Calhoun likes the sound of those reports.

"He would fit in perfectly," Calhoun told The Eagle-Tribune's Bill Burt of Walker potentially signing with Boston. "He’s not like Larry Bird, who sort of had a scowl on, and would kill you. Kemba is a happy guy and does it with a smile. To me he’s a smiling assassin."

Can the Celtics sell Kemba Walker on Boston?
Calhoun may be a little biased as a Mass. native who shares Walker's agent, Jeff Schwartz. But the former UConn coach speaks from experience, considering he worked with Walker for three seasons and knows Celtics head coach Brad Stevens well after competing against Stevens' Butler squad in the 2011 NCAA title game.

"He’s a great coach. ... I’ve been to his practices. I like his style," Calhoun said of Stevens. "I see the Celtics games a lot. They’re going to be OK (despite losing Kyrie Irving and Al Horford). Kemba could be a nice fit there."

Calhoun added he has no inside knowledge of Walker's thinking, and the 29-year-old has stated he'd take a pay cut to stay in Charlotte, so it may take some convincing to wrest him from the Hornets.

But Calhoun, who now coaches at Division III Saint Joseph in Connecticut, apparently believes the C's should make a run at his former star.

[arctic 3.0]

I’m not sure why we would target a high price PG when we have a starting quality PG who bleeds Celtics pride on the roster. we have a much greater need for a center.

I’d much rather absorb Adams or Capela into space and sign a mid level type back up point guard.

[Tr1boy]

Kemba would be a nice consolation prize if we are indeed losing Kyrie, but given it will also come at the expense of losing Horford as well, I'm not sure it will actually make a difference.

I guess Hayward (pre injury), Tatum, Brown are chopped liver