The Boston Celtics have emerged as the front-runner to sign guard Charlotte Hornets three-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker in free agency, league sources tell ESPN.
Walker's eight-year career with the Hornets appears to be coming to close, with owner Michael Jordan no longer determined to extend far enough financially to re-sign his franchise player, league sources tell ESPN.
Walker is expected to be offered a four-year, $141 million contract to sign with the Celtics when free agency opens Sunday at 6 PM ET -- a deal that he's increasingly likely to accept, league sources said.
The Celtics have targeted Walker, 29, as the No. 1 priority in free agency, an elite level replacement for the departing Kyrie Irving, sources said. Walker had his best season as a pro, averaging 25.8 points and never missing a regular season game.
After a season of locker room turmoil often centered around Irving's discontent, the Celtics crave the stability and leadership that Walker will crave -- along with an All-Star talent in the prime of his career.
Boston can renounce the rights to restricted free agency Terry Rozier to clear the space to start Walker on a four-year deal beginning at $32M annually.
Walker can plug into a Celtics lineup that includes Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown. Boston can still pursue a center with is $4.8M exception and deliver a team to the start of the season that could be competitive with the elite teams in the Eastern Conference.
Walker won a national championship at nearby UConn in 2011, and is a New York City native.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27066586/sources-celtics-front-runners-sign-kemba
2019-06-27 13:12:31Z
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