The Boston Celtics have been an NBA powerhouse for decades, but now they’re looking like a $141 million disaster. With the Knicks taking advantage of their missteps and slowly climbing out of their own depths, it’s safe to say that we’ll never see another team in New York win again.
The Boston Celtics’ $141 million disaster quickly became the New York Knicks’ latest nightmare. The Knicks are now trying to avoid a similar fate. Read more in detail here: nba new york knicks.
The Boston Celtics’ greatest gain this season has been their most important offseason loss. The franchise reduced its losses by moving point guard Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder for old pal Al Horford two years after signing him to a max contract for $141 million.
Walker was bought out by the Thunder, and the former All-Star was acquired by the New York Knicks. Walker’s NBA career has reached a low point, since he is no longer a part of the Knicks’ plans.
The Boston Celtics’ first significant move under new coach Brad Stevens was to trade Kemba Walker.
On November 21, 2021, in Chicago, Illinois, Kemba Walker of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball against Lonzo Ball of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. | Getty Images/Patrick McDermott
Danny Ainge, the team’s president of basketball operations, quit this summer, shaking things up in the front office. Brad Stevens, who had been the head coach for the previous eight years, stepped in for Ainge and had an instant effect. Stevens moved Walker fast because he hadn’t lived up to his maximum contract, even if it meant bringing back an overpriced but productive Horford.
Horford provided much-needed size to a Celtics squad that finished 36-36 and was eliminated in the first round by the Brooklyn Nets in Stevens’ last season.
Walker was unable to play back-to-back games due to his ailing knee. His contract was a stumbling block. The transaction wasn’t easy to arrange, according to Stevens, but it helped free up cap space and allowed Horford to return.
According to Celtics Wire, Stevens remarked, “Trading Kemba right from the start was not enjoyable, was not an easy thing to do.” “But clearly, getting Al back and some of the things that it allowed us up to accomplish here, as we strive to develop for the future… it was simply part of it.”
The New York Knicks have taken Kemba Walker out of the lineup.
Following the Oklahoma City buyout, the Knicks signed Walker to a two-year contract for almost $18 million. He’s battled terribly in his 18 games with the Knicks, averaging career-lows in points (11.7) and assists (3.1) in 24.5 minutes. Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks’ coach, had made a change, removing Walker from the lineup.
“It’s a difficult choice to make,” Thibodeau told ESPN. “But you always have to do what you believe is best for the team.” “I think of Kemba as a starter, so playing three tiny guards together would be difficult.” I thought about it, and I admire Kemba Walker as a person and for all he’s done in the NBA.
“However, I must do what I believe is best for the team.”
Thibodeau has opted to replace Walker, who was benched down the stretch, with Alec Burks, who scored 23 points in a win against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
Thibodeau said, “I want to tighten the rotation.” “I enjoyed how the squad worked together, so it’ll be similar to what we did in Atlanta.”
Walker isn’t the only former Boston Celtics player who is now a New York Knick in trouble.
The Knicks attempted to improve their squad in the summer after entering the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 season. The Walker deal hasn’t exactly paid off. This summer, they also signed another player from the Celtics, but it hasn’t paid off.
Evan Fournier, a free agent, has signed a four-year, $78 million agreement with the New York Knicks. The Knicks also swung and missed on that trade based only on money.
Like the Knicks, Fournier has had his ups and downs. He started out to a hot start, but has subsequently cooled down to 13.1 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. He appeared in 16 regular-season games for the Celtics last season after being acquired at the trade deadline.
Fournier has been with the Orlando Magic for the last six years. The shooting guard averaged 18.5 points per game in his last full season with Orlando. In New York, it’s been a case of the unknown for Fournier.
“I can’t simply play like I did with previous clubs knowing I’ll be on the field for at least 32 minutes,” he told The New York Post. “I know where my shots will come from and how things will play out for me.” So knowing that, I’ll be able to get right into the game.
“I believe the issue right now is that I have no idea how many minutes I’ll play, so I have to approach it with the attitude of: If I’m going to play 20 minutes, then just come out of the gate with great enthusiasm.”
The Knicks have not benefited from Boston’s losses of Walker and Fournier.
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