Celtics Appear to be Leading Race to Sign Kemba Walker

NBA sources have said the Boston Celtics are leading the race to sign point guard Kemba Walker. The point guard’s eight-year deal with the Charlotte Hornets will soon end. It appears as though Hornets owner Michael Jordan is not willing to give Walker enough money. As a result, the team will not re-sign the franchise player, said league sources.

Walker and agent Jeff Schwartz are expected to speak with Boston’s general manager Danny Ainge at some point. The conversation will likely take place after Sunday’s opening of free agency 6:00 pm.

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It is expected that the Celtics will offer Kemba Walker a four-year deal worth $141 million. It appears Walker will likely accept, sources say.

The sources have said that Boston has targeted the veteran Walker as their No. 1 priority during free agency as a replacement for guard Kyrie Irving, who will almost certainly leave the team during free agency. This past season was the best of Walker’s career at 25.8 points per game while playing all 82 games.

Following a season of much turmoil in the locker room often centering round the discontent of Irving, the Celtics want leadership and stability and believe Walker would bring both, along with immense talent as he enters the prime period of his career.

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Boston will likely renounce its rights to Terry Rozier a restricted free agent to make space for signing Walker to a deal that is expected to cost $32 million each year for the next four years.

Walker is expected to join a lineup that includes Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Celtics could still search for a center with the $4.8 million exception it holds. That way, it would have a lineup to start the season that would compete with the Eastern Conference’s elite teams.

Walker was born and raised in New York City and attended the University of Connecticut where he won a national championship in 2011.