The Kemba Walker experience is over. After two seasons with the Boston Celtics, the veteran point guard was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Al Horford and young big man Moses Brown.
In a deal that also included an exchange of draft picks and more financial flexibility for Brad Stevens and the Celtics, it is a deal that has cast the spotlight on the point guard position for the team.
Although Kemba’s health last season prevented him from playing in back-to-back games, he was solid at the point guard position when he was healthy and on the court.
His scoring, along with his playmaking ability did help the offense function more smoothly, but again, Walker was not able to be out there on the court when it mattered. While not having that third scorer and veteran leader out there on the court consistently during the regular season and playoffs hurt the Celtics, it also helped them.
Not only did Marcus Smart get more time running the show, but Kemba’s absence propelled the development of 2020 first-round pick Payton Pritchard, who shined during the early part of the season before Kemba’s return.
Along with Pritchard, second-year Celtics players like Tremont Waters and Carsen Edwards also got opportunities. While Edwards was not able to take that next step, Waters did have some bright moments at the point guard position.
Through another trade or free agency, expect Stevens to address the point guard position externally, but who are the three players currently on the team who are most impacted by the Kemba Walker trade?
Let’s start with a player many Celtics fans may have forgot the team drafted.
Boston Celtics draft and stash point guard Yam Madar may get his time
Drafted in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft, Israeli point guard Yam Madar was impressive while playing overseas this season.
At 6-foot-3, 180 pounds, he is a player with size and size who could turn some heads if he decides to make the switch to the NBA next season. Not only does he have a good mid-range game, but he is also an excellent play maker who makes things happen on the court.
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But the question is, is he better than what the Celtics may actually have in Tremont Waters and Carsen Edwards? Is he ready to make that leap from overseas to the NBA at the young age of 20?
Well, not to compare him to a future Hall-of-Famer like Tony Parker, but it has been done before and who is to say the Celtics don’t have a diamond waiting and ready to shine in the NBA.
While Yam Madar is not the reason Brad Stevens felt he could get rid of Kemba Walker, the Celtics do have some potential depth there and a player who will create some excitement amongst Boston Celtics fans.
Just think about it this way, after the season he recently had playing for Hapoel Tel Aviv, Madar may be considered a definite first-round pick if he entered the NBA Draft this season.
His development may be the reason Stevens felt comfortable giving up the No. 16 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft in the Kemba Walker deal. Depending on what else the team does at the point guard position, the Boston Celtics should and probably will take a look at this kid over the summer and through the preseason.
Boston Celtics impressive rookie Payton Prichard given more of an opportunity
It could very well turn out that Danny Ainge’s last draft as president of basketball operations could be his best as far as finding players late in the draft who turn out to be a big part of the team’s future.
Not saying Payton Prichard is ready to take over the starting role in Year 2 of his NBA career, but the Boston Celtics point guard certainly produced off the bench and also had a couple starts during his rookie season.
In the regular season, Pritchard averaged 7.7 points in 19.2 minutes played per game. His maturity and ability to make contributions but defensively and offensively essentially sent veteran point guard Jeff Teague packing.
With a career-high 28 points in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Pritchard had many highlight moments during his rookie season, which benefited from the early absence of Kemba Walker.
Ironically, the trade of Walker will open up more minutes for Payton Prichard and an opportunity for him to make a bigger leap. While the No. 26 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft showed he was advanced as a rookie, he will have a greater opportunity to prove himself next season as his role should increase.
With a year of experience under his belt, sky is the limit on how far Payton Prichard can take his game for the Celtics not only next season, but beyond.
Friday’s blockbuster deal involving Kemba Walker may have set the stage for Prichard’s continuing rise.
What should the Boston Celtics do with Marcus Smart?
Does the Kemba Walker deal make Marcus Smart even more of a trade chip or does it mean the Boston Celtics longest tenured player will assume primary point guard duties?
We all know what Smart can do defensively, but does his value increase offensively without a starting point guard?
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Over the years, Smart has excelled more as a backup point guard and two-guard whether it was Isaiah Thomas, Kyrie Irving or Walker running the show. His ability to be the playmaker allowed each of those players to be scorers when he was on the court, but is he capable of being the primary ball-handler?
Unless Yan Mader and Payton Prichard leap expectations even more, Smart will have to take on those duties until or unless the team either signs a starting caliber point guard or trade for one.
If they trade for one, Marcus Smart is the most valuable trade asset left so it shouldn’t be a real shock if Brad Stevens and the Celtics find its time to move on from a player who has really been the heart and soul of the team for the past few seasons.
It is for that reason, a trade may not be the popular choice amongst fans, but if it is a move that makes the team better, Stevens has to pull the trigger, especially given that Smart will be entering a contract season.
As an unrestricted free agent in 2022, it may be in the Celtics best interest to get something for him now rather than risk losing him in free agency. The Kemba Walker deal certainly pushes the conundrum surrounding Marcus Smart even more in the spotlight whether they keep him or trade him.