Why the Boston Celtics probably won’t trade Kemba Walker

The Boston Celtics seem set to shop Kemba Walker this offseason, but a trade will be a tough task for new president of basketball operations Brad Stevens.

After their season-ending loss on Tuesday night, the Boston Celtics quickly entered an offseason of change. President of basketball operations Danny Ainge stepped down, and coach Brad Stevens was promoted to replace him.

Stevens will first lead a search for who will replace him, with a wide array of options. But he certainly knows the roster, which will give him a solid view of how the current pieces may or may not fit together going forward from his new perch in the front office. Other than Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, no one should be untouchable.

The path to an offseason roster overhaul in Boston will largely be paved by trades, with some players hitting free agency who may or may not be back. On the trade front, guard Kemba Walker has already been put out there as a trade candidate.

Very quickly after the Celtics’ season ended, Brian Robb of MassLive reported the Celtics are expected to shop Walker this offseason.

"“Kemba Walker is one of the most overpaid players in the NBA and league sources expect the Celtics to explore moving him in a trade to help create some current and future salary flexibility and reduce what is currently set to be the highest tax bill in team history.”"

Why the Celtics probably won’t trade Kemba Walker this offseason

Walker was bothered by a lingering knee injury this season. In 43 regular-season games, his production was in line with what he’s typically done in his career (19.3 points, 4.9 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game). But in three playoff games against the Nets, he averaged just 12.7 points per game on 31.7 percent shooting, and his knee problem cost him the final two games of the series.

Walker is due to make a little over $36 million next season, with a $37.7 million player option for 2022-23. According to Spotrac, he also has a 15 percent trade kicker. So even as a possible expiring contract, assuming Walker will not exercise that option in pursuit of a multi-year deal, matching his salary in a trade will be even more difficult for any interested team.

With a normal offseason to rest and recover, Walker’s knee problem may become less of an issue heading into next season. But it is absolutely a concern, as chronic knee issues don’t just go away.

From a cap and luxury tax perspective, it makes sense for the Celtics to shop Walker. But getting the return they’d expect in a trade will tough (if not impossible), as they’d be selling him at the low point in his value to go with the big money he’s due.

There should be suitors this summer, with bad contracts of their own they’d like to part with in some cases. But if the move is on the radar, the Celtics will be better off waiting until into next season to trade Walker.