Boston Celtics: Making the case for D’Angelo Russell over Kemba Walker

It appears the Boston Celtics are the frontrunner for Kemba Walker, but there is a better option team should consider.

The Boston Celtics should go with D’Angelo Russell instead of Kemba Walker. But before I get started with this article I just wanted to throw up a stat comparison from last season. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but I think it’s beneficial to look at.

Also worth noting, statistically, Russell is ahead of where Kemba was at 23 years old.

In the 2018-19 NBA season, Russell had a lower PPG average (21.1 vs. 25.6 for Walker), but averaged about an assist per game more. The two were pretty close when it came to rebounds per game and had the exact same field goal percentage (43.4 percent.).

That is Kemba Walker in his best season at 29 and D’Angelo Russell in his best season at 23.

With the numbers being that close, the Celtics are better off with the younger D’Angelo Russell.

Kemba to Boston?

Reports of the Boston Celtics being a  frontrunner for Kemba Walker seem to be picking up steam. To the point where Woj thinks it’s a “forgone conclusion.”

Walker would be a tremendous addition to the Celtics, no doubt.

His offensive game is elite, he is highly regarded around the league for his character and will probably continue to be dominant for the next couple of seasons.

The downside is that he’s in the latter stages of his prime age-wise (29), so who knows how long he can keep it up.

He is also undersized and lacks on the defensive side of the ball. A lot of IT comparisons have been mentioned.

His contract is another issue…

He’s getting paid max money. This would tie up the cap for years to come and I’m not sure he gets you to that championship level.

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Plus the Boston Celtics still don’t have a legitimate big, which they will need some cap space to add someone who will be formidable.

D’Angelo Russell Makes Much More Sense

Would you really want to have a 29-year-old at max money that probably still won’t get you a title or pay less to a 23-year-old D’Angelo Russell with his best years undoubtedly in front of him.

Not having to pay Russell max money also allows for more flexibility for Danny Ainge in the free agent market.

Don’t get me wrong, Kemba easily could come in here and make this a fringe top 5 team in the NBA.

But how much better is your team with Kemba Walker vs. D’Angelo Russell?

The answer is: better, but not by enough to justify spending max money on a near 30-year-old.

We are probably talking the difference between being a 4 seed or a 5 seed here… and if I’m Danny Ainge I’m not paying max money for an extra game at home in the playoffs.

A Better Fit

Russell just fits the Celtics’ timeline better and is the safer bet for the longevity of the franchise.

In five years, Jayson Tatum will be 26 and Jaylen Brown and D’Angelo Russell will be 27.

They would all be entering their prime simultaneously after having a few years of playing together under their belt.

This could help to develop a strong bond and create a culture of playing for each other and cohesiveness instead whatever we had last year.

Purely looking at building for the future, Russell makes perfect sense. All three of the guys I just mentioned are getting better. Russell, perhaps, took a bigger leap last year than any of them have.

He might not help you contend right away, but they would be just outside of the conversation in my opinion. The same place I think they’d be with Kemba Walker.

Building for the future is the right move and the Celtics should go all in on the future big three of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and D’Angelo Russell.