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What will become of Kemba Walker?

 This is difficult to write. Kemba Walker is a fine citizen of the world and a cherished teammate in Boston, but his stay in Beantown has not worked out as planned. He is an undersized shooting guard who relies on speed and quickness to make an impact. But injuries and age have limited his ability to do that.


Pegged as a big-minutes starter, Kemba has only participated in 39 games thus far this season. His average points (18.2 PPG), rebounds (RPG), field goal percentage (40.9%) and 3-point accuracy (34.8%) are all lows since his 2015-16 season with the Charlotte Hornets.

Next season will be his third with the Celtics, and he is slated to earn $36 million. He has a player option in 2022-23 at $37.6 million

Walker is the fourth major acquisition by Danny Ainge that has not worked out. Al Horford, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward all chose to head elsewhere, and rumors abound that Danny Ainge desperately tried to shed Kemba's large contract in the past off-season.

As skilled as Walker is, if he is not scoring major points - he isn't helping the team. As a 6-foot guard that needs quick, elusive moves to succeed, significant injuries seem to have noticeably lessened his impact, even on those days where he is healthy enough to play.

Whether the trade rumors from last summer are true or not, there is no way to know. But the $73.6 million remaining on the likable guard's deal are a true albatross for Ainge. Any team willing to take on Kemba and his contract will want more in the bargain - possibly young, rising talent. Any trade of Walker will hurt - no question about that. But it may need to get done.


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