5 teams who should be calling the Celtics about a Kemba Walker trade

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 25: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics dribbles during the first half of Game Two of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on May 25, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

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4. New Orleans Pelicans

It seems funny to say, but the Pelicans are already on the clock to convince Zion Williamson he should stay with them long-term. He has been open about Madison Square Garden as a place he likes to play, which sets up the Knicks to make a run at him down the road. If the Pelicans don’t start winning, a repeat of the Anthony Davis situation is looming.

Point guard Lonzo Ball will be a restricted free agent this offseason, and he will have suitors who can price New Orleans out of matching an offer sheet. It’s possible they do what’s required to retain him, but it’s a coin-flip proposition at best right now. A sign-and-trade deal is possible too, if only to shake things up a little.

New Orleans could send a draft pick to Boston in a deal for Walker. But the core of a straightforward player-for-player deal works. Some sign and trade options in a different deal that this one would be possible too.

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