The Celtics and Kemba Walker are looking for a split this offseason, per Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. Boston has floated Walker in trades dating back to last offseason when they offered him in a proposed deal with the Spurs for LaMarcus Aldridge, who has since retired.
Walker was “frustrated” after learning he was involved in trade talks, with the veteran player placing a high degree of importance on loyalty, Mannix adds.
Walker is due $36 million next season and the Celtics will try to move on from that massive deal to “help create some current and future salary flexibility and reduce what is currently set to be the highest tax bill in team history,” per Brian Robb of MassLive.
More From Boston
- The Boston Celtics clearly need a shakeup to their roster, but don’t have many tradeable assets outside of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Robert Williams to offer to bring in a player that can make a meaningful impact. They have a good chunk of Gordon Hayward‘s trade exception left to help them bring in a piece, but there are complications, as Robb of MassLive.com breaks that down in a separate piece.
- Boston is among the teams interested in Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni. The franchise has an opening after elevating Brad Stevens to the front office.
- The franchise has begun reaching out to other teams in order to obtain permission to interview candidates under contract, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com. Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups, Bucks assistants Darvin Ham and Charles Lee, Mavericks assistant Jamahl Mosley, and Nets assistant Ime Udoka are other names that are in the running for the head coaching gig in Boston.
- ICYMI: The Celtics hold the No. 16 overall pick and Cameron Thomas may be a sound prospect to target with that selection, as our own Cole Sullivan contends. Sullivan adds that Australia’s Josh Giddey would be a great fit if the team does indeed move on from Walker this offseason.
