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

[footey]

So much for free agency starting on Sunday, huh? Lol Seems like this year is the worst that I can remember regarding free agents and teams reportedly already talking.

Welcome to the Twitter-world and the advancement of technologies, where tampering does not even matter even if free agency does not start until June 30th.

Still waiting on Kyrie to tell us he's not coming back because lately it's all been media stirring the rumors and hypes.

“Ask me July 1”

[Vermont Green]

If it is true that the Celtics have the inside track at signing Kemba Walker, it seems to me that this is a signal that the Celtics are going to trade Smart, probably for Capela or another big.  Even if we get Capela for Smart, we still need another big.  This would result in a line up as follows (potentially):

Kemba Walker
Jaylen Brown
Jason Tatum
TBD Big
Capela

Rozier
Hayward
Ojeleye
Williams

A lot depends on who the TBD Big ends up being and the prospects are not that great.  Maybe we resign Morris.  This isn't a terrible team but unless Brown and Tatum make a huge leap, not that exciting.

[Rich]

If it is true that the Celtics have the inside track at signing Kemba Walker, it seems to me that this is a signal that the Celtics are going to trade Smart, probably for Capela or another big.  Even if we get Capela for Smart, we still need another big.  This would result in a line up as follows (potentially):

Kemba Walker
Jaylen Brown
Jason Tatum
TBD Big
Capela

Rozier
Hayward
Ojeleye
Williams

A lot depends on who the TBD Big ends up being and the prospects are not that great.  Maybe we resign Morris.  This isn't a terrible team but unless Brown and Tatum make a huge leap, not that exciting.

dont we have to renounce Rozier to sign Kemba? and then his price tag would be too much since we renounced him...or am i misunderstanding how that works (also doubt Rozier is back, even if feasible, if we get Kemba)

[jpotter33]

If we do land Kemba and get a decent center, I think people are going to be very surprised at how much better the Celtics will be than last season.

Agreed. I thought minus Kyrie we’d be better by an “addition by subtraction” type of philosophy, as I expected jumps from both the Jays and Hayward next year.

I think we’ll be even better with Kemba, though we do have to solidify that frontcourt first.

[Fierce1]

I also agree Celts will be better with Kemba next season.

Last season was a disaster.
Celts should've won at least 50 games last season.
There's just no way this coming season with Kemba will be worse.

If Celts get Kemba, Celts are going back to being a top 3 team in the east next season.

[SparzWizard]

I also agree Celts will be better with Kemba next season.

Last season was a disaster.
Celts should've won at least 50 games last season.
There's just no way this coming season with Kemba will be worse.

If Celts get Kemba, Celts are going back to being a top 3 team in the east next season.

The Celts are basically replacing Kyrie Irving with another Kyrie Irving, minus the headaches. But the Celtics need to bolster their front-court after the losses of Horford and Baynes. Then I can safely say Boston should be a top 3 team in the East next season.

At least on paper.

[Phantom255x]

I predict Kawhi stays in Toronto.

But.. I think Butler is going to head to one of the LA teams, and maybe Tobias Harris actually ends up back with the Clippers himself if Butler goes to Lakers. Either way, I doubt PHI keeps both guys and there's a decent chance they keep neither.

Some reports also talk about MIL fearing that Brogdon will get overpayed and go elsewhere, and I'm curious to see if MIL actually offer Middleton the full 5-year max.

Basically, those teams should be ahead of us still even if we land Kemba + 2 decent/depth centers. BUT, I'd argue that we could certainly remain in the mix as a Top-4 or even Top-3 in the East depending on what happens with the FA's for TOR/PHI/MIL. If Kawhi does end up leaving TOR, then I'm confident in saying they (Raps) won't even be Top-4 themselves next season in the East, and that actually changes the entire landscape of the East again. I don't see him leaving, but worth monitoring.

And we still have to monitor what NY and BKN do, but even if they sign KD he's out for next season so I don't know if they'll truly be a Top-4 team in the East even if either end up with Kyrie.

Indiana will certainly be in the mix themselves as they get a healthy Oladipo back.

[Abel]

First time posting, but for all things C's, especially as an Aussie trying to stay on top of everything Celtics's, I have been stalking these pages (and Celticsblog) for years.

If this signing eventuates I love it for a few reasons:
1. Get the C's some credibility back after copping it through the press by signing, albeit a second tier star, but a star nonetheless.
Here in Australia where we reply on Fox sports, ESPN, the narrative is that the C's have become a poorly run organisation, issues with Brad Stevens coaching, Danny is a coward for not cashing in the assets he has gathered, this signing would be a correction of the narrative. And further proof that free agent stars are interested in Boston.

2. Kemba, for all reports is a high character guy, although not the talent of Kyrie if this minimises the lockeroom issues, the net result may be addition by subtraction. This can't be the only move though, I don't think we challenge the Raptors or the Bucks without a few more pieces added, but this and a better team dynamic will definitely help.

3. May be it is just me, but if Kemba was to sign with the Lakers I would be more worried than if they signed Kyrie, Jimmy Butler, D'Angelo .... I think Kemba, being a high character guy, would know his place with Lebron and Davis and add to the team, be a great third banana.... whereas a Kyrie or Jimmy Butler, although talented may add to the LA circus. Therefore with the C's signing Kemba, he can't sign with the Lakers.

Just my thoughts.                   

[SparzWizard]

Dude imagine Irving comes back and Horford returns. What a major plot twist.

I wonder how will Celtics fans react.

[gouki88]

First time posting, but for all things C's, especially as an Aussie trying to stay on top of everything Celtics's, I have been stalking these pages (and Celticsblog) for years.

If this signing eventuates I love it for a few reasons:
1. Get the C's some credibility back after copping it through the press by signing, albeit a second tier star, but a star nonetheless.
Here in Australia where we reply on Fox sports, ESPN, the narrative is that the C's have become a poorly run organisation, issues with Brad Stevens coaching, Danny is a coward for not cashing in the assets he has gathered, this signing would be a correction of the narrative. And further proof that free agent stars are interested in Boston.

2. Kemba, for all reports is a high character guy, although not the talent of Kyrie if this minimises the lockeroom issues, the net result may be addition by subtraction. This can't be the only move though, I don't think we challenge the Raptors or the Bucks without a few more pieces added, but this and a better team dynamic will definitely help.

3. May be it is just me, but if Kemba was to sign with the Lakers I would be more worried than if they signed Kyrie, Jimmy Butler, D'Angelo .... I think Kemba, being a high character guy, would know his place with Lebron and Davis and add to the team, be a great third banana.... whereas a Kyrie or Jimmy Butler, although talented may add to the LA circus. Therefore with the C's signing Kemba, he can't sign with the Lakers.

Just my thoughts.                 

From one Aussie to another, TP

[CelticSooner]

First time posting, but for all things C's, especially as an Aussie trying to stay on top of everything Celtics's, I have been stalking these pages (and Celticsblog) for years.

If this signing eventuates I love it for a few reasons:
1. Get the C's some credibility back after copping it through the press by signing, albeit a second tier star, but a star nonetheless.
Here in Australia where we reply on Fox sports, ESPN, the narrative is that the C's have become a poorly run organisation, issues with Brad Stevens coaching, Danny is a coward for not cashing in the assets he has gathered, this signing would be a correction of the narrative. And further proof that free agent stars are interested in Boston.

2. Kemba, for all reports is a high character guy, although not the talent of Kyrie if this minimises the lockeroom issues, the net result may be addition by subtraction. This can't be the only move though, I don't think we challenge the Raptors or the Bucks without a few more pieces added, but this and a better team dynamic will definitely help.

3. May be it is just me, but if Kemba was to sign with the Lakers I would be more worried than if they signed Kyrie, Jimmy Butler, D'Angelo .... I think Kemba, being a high character guy, would know his place with Lebron and Davis and add to the team, be a great third banana.... whereas a Kyrie or Jimmy Butler, although talented may add to the LA circus. Therefore with the C's signing Kemba, he can't sign with the Lakers.

Just my thoughts.                 

TP and great first post    I agree with everything you wrote, C’s need to get Kemba signed ASAP just in case LA comes sniffing around.

[jpotter33]

https://twitter.com/QCHspencer/status/1144377721591619585?s=20

  FWIW, spoke to source close to team that believes
@hornets could increase their offer from reported 5-year, $160M (might have already), but not optimistic it’d be enough to convince Kemba to pivot back in Charlotte’s direction. This thing is sounding like a done deal currently.

[Abel]

First time posting, but for all things C's, especially as an Aussie trying to stay on top of everything Celtics's, I have been stalking these pages (and Celticsblog) for years.

If this signing eventuates I love it for a few reasons:
1. Get the C's some credibility back after copping it through the press by signing, albeit a second tier star, but a star nonetheless.
Here in Australia where we reply on Fox sports, ESPN, the narrative is that the C's have become a poorly run organisation, issues with Brad Stevens coaching, Danny is a coward for not cashing in the assets he has gathered, this signing would be a correction of the narrative. And further proof that free agent stars are interested in Boston.

2. Kemba, for all reports is a high character guy, although not the talent of Kyrie if this minimises the lockeroom issues, the net result may be addition by subtraction. This can't be the only move though, I don't think we challenge the Raptors or the Bucks without a few more pieces added, but this and a better team dynamic will definitely help.

3. May be it is just me, but if Kemba was to sign with the Lakers I would be more worried than if they signed Kyrie, Jimmy Butler, D'Angelo .... I think Kemba, being a high character guy, would know his place with Lebron and Davis and add to the team, be a great third banana.... whereas a Kyrie or Jimmy Butler, although talented may add to the LA circus. Therefore with the C's signing Kemba, he can't sign with the Lakers.

Just my thoughts.                 

From one Aussie to another, TP

Haha thanks mate, how fitting get my first ever TP from an Aussie, on a Boston Celtics blog!! Thanks again man. 

[Abel]

First time posting, but for all things C's, especially as an Aussie trying to stay on top of everything Celtics's, I have been stalking these pages (and Celticsblog) for years.

If this signing eventuates I love it for a few reasons:
1. Get the C's some credibility back after copping it through the press by signing, albeit a second tier star, but a star nonetheless.
Here in Australia where we reply on Fox sports, ESPN, the narrative is that the C's have become a poorly run organisation, issues with Brad Stevens coaching, Danny is a coward for not cashing in the assets he has gathered, this signing would be a correction of the narrative. And further proof that free agent stars are interested in Boston.

2. Kemba, for all reports is a high character guy, although not the talent of Kyrie if this minimises the lockeroom issues, the net result may be addition by subtraction. This can't be the only move though, I don't think we challenge the Raptors or the Bucks without a few more pieces added, but this and a better team dynamic will definitely help.

3. May be it is just me, but if Kemba was to sign with the Lakers I would be more worried than if they signed Kyrie, Jimmy Butler, D'Angelo .... I think Kemba, being a high character guy, would know his place with Lebron and Davis and add to the team, be a great third banana.... whereas a Kyrie or Jimmy Butler, although talented may add to the LA circus. Therefore with the C's signing Kemba, he can't sign with the Lakers.

Just my thoughts.                 

TP and great first post    I agree with everything you wrote, C’s need to get Kemba signed ASAP just in case LA comes sniffing around.

Thanks mate, also, if I had to add a fourth point in, a Walker - Smart pairing would be awesome .....

[Phantom255x]

https://twitter.com/QCHspencer/status/1144377721591619585?s=20

  FWIW, spoke to source close to team that believes
@hornets could increase their offer from reported 5-year, $160M (might have already), but not optimistic it’d be enough to convince Kemba to pivot back in Charlotte’s direction. This thing is sounding like a done deal currently.

The absolute highest they could offer Kemba is 5/221M. So yeah, I was actually pretty amazed they only offered 5/160M (32M AAV instead of the 35M AAV he could be offered elsewhere).

I think if CHA is willing to give him 200M, he will stay even if it's like 20M short of the supermax.