Will Kemba Walker make the Boston Celtics a contender in the Eastern Conference

[CelticsFan100]

https://theathleteshub.org/2019/06/29/kemba-walker-makes-boston-promising-in-201

[SparzWizard]

Definitely got our Irving replacement real quick. 3x All-Star and had a career-best season last year.

Now Ainge just needs to add a Capela or Kanter and this team will be a contender in the East.

[CelticD]

I don't think so. C's haven't gotten a replacement for Horford yet. We'll see who they put in the front court first, then we can evaluate.

[nickagneta]

Not next year. Maybe even not the year after. But by year three of his contract, yeah, I could see Boston being a contender with Kemba here.

[Phantom255x]

It still depends on two major things:

1. What do we do with our front court. Who do we sign and/or trade for?

2. What do the other Eastern Conference Teams do? Does Toronto keep Kawhi? Does PHI keep all or neither of Butler/Reddick/Harris? What happens with Brogdon in MIL? Things like that. For example, IF Kawhi leaves Toronto, suddenly Toronto is NOT a threat in the East anymore.

I think it'll be worth exploring this question in about two weeks from now. I do think we're still capable of being a Top-4 team in the East at the moment.

[Who]

No. Not without a better big.

[liam]

It all depends on Brown and Tatum's development.

[Cousy14]

Trade Smart for a big.

[jpotter33]

Not until they clear up the frontcourt situation. And will have to see where Hayward is at and whether the Jays make the leap.

“Ask me January 1st” 😉

[Hank Finkel]

No. Not without a better big.

Kemba is a guard and is a very good player but this team is going nowhere without a good big man. 

[Rosco917]

Trade Smart for a big.

I tried to take a TP away...but someone beat me to it.

[gouki88]

Considering what Brad has done with much less talented teams, I can see it. We definitely need to deepen our big man stocks though

[csfansince60s]

With a Kemba, the Cs have a decent chance to be a contender this year.

Without Kemba, they have NO chance.

[Phantom255x]

With a Kemba, the Cs have a decent chance to be a contender this year.

Without Kemba, they have NO chance.

Agreed. And even right now w/Kemba, I think they'd be a Top-4 team in the East, and maybe even going up those rankings depending on what happens with the FAs of the other East teams and their moves. Not a true contender but still a legit playoff team.

Remember, even if BKN add Kyrie + KD, KD is out all next season so I'd still have us ahead of them. Same if KD goes to NY.

[Spicoli]

https://theathleteshub.org/2019/06/29/kemba-walker-makes-boston-promising-in-201

I did some comparisons between Walker and Irving on basketball reference and although Kyrie had better shooting percentages, he took way less shots than Kemba. That could be a product of Walker not having talent around him in Charlotte or it could be because Walker is the more aggressive player. I'm not entirely sure. The one thing i am sure about though from watching Walker highlights on youtube is he is a legit all nba talent. It's impossible to stay in front of the guy and he is able to navigate the defense pretty much at will. Kyrie was the same, so i'm not seeing a huge drop off there. My fear with Walker is that he's too ball dominant and will take shots away from Brown and Tatum, but that might be an adjustment that those guys need to make. Siakam figured out a way to get his while playing with Leonard, so Brown and Tatum need to figure it out and stop standing in the corners waiting to be spoonfed.

As far as the question at hand, my answer is it's hard to tell because of how different the Eastern conference can look after free agency opens up tomorrow. As of right now i'd say this team is a 4 seed with a chance of advancing past the second right into the ECF. They might be a year of chemistry building away from being true finals contenders.