Kemba Walker joins Celtics as Kyrie Irving leaves

LOS ANGELES, USA – The Boston Celtics are poised to welcome a new point guard in Kemba Walker following the exit of Kyrie Irving.

Walker – a three-time All-Star with the Charlotte Hornets – has agreed to sign a four-year, $141M maximum contract to join the Celtics, ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported. 

Free agent Kemba Walker has agreed to sign a four-year, $141M maximum contract to join the Boston Celtics, Excel Sports agent Jeff Schwartz tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019

Coming off one of best seasons of his career for the Hornets with averages of 25.6 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.4 rebounds, Walker will fill the void left by Irving, who is headed to the Brooklyn Nets to team up with Kevin Durant. 

While the Golden State Warriors are saying goodbye to Durant, Klay Thompson is anticipated to reach terms quickly on a five-year deal worth $190 million to stay with the three-time NBA champions.

On the other hand, the future remained unclear for two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, who led the Raptors to the title after being traded from the San Antonio Spurs, a team he also helped win a crown in 2014. 

The New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Clippers have long been expected to make high-priced pitches to Leonard, who grew up in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Lakers are also in the hunt for Leonard as they seek a third star to unite with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who was traded by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Leonard could opt to stay with the Raptors, and they reportedly have been assured they will be able to make the final presentation to Leonard after other suitors have made their pitches.

In other reported deals, four-time All-Star Al Horford agreed to a four-year, $97 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers after 3 years with the Celtics.

The Sixers also signed a four-year deal with Jimmy Butler as part of a sign-and-trade agreement that will send four-time All-Star to the Miami Heat.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks said they had agreed with restricted free agent Kristaps Porzingis on a five-year, $158.253 million maximum salary contract – which will be the largest contract in the 39-year history of the club.

The 23-year-old Latvian big man was acquired by the Mavericks from the Knicks in a blockbuster seven-player trade on January 31.

He was still recovering from surgery to repair a torn left knee ligament and has not played since February last year. – Rappler.com