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Ranking Kemba Walker’s Most Likely Landing Spots

By Daniel Lacy

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 15: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 15, 2019 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 15: Kemba Walker #15 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 15, 2019 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 03: Brad Stevens talks with Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2019 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 03, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bucks defeat the Celtics 123 – 116. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 03: Brad Stevens talks with Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the second half of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2019 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden on May 03, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Bucks defeat the Celtics 123 – 116. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics

On the other side of these rumors of Walker leaving Charlotte is the Boston Celtics, who have emerged as the front-runner to land Walker.

With Walker entering the final year of his contract heading into the 2018-19 season, Boston has always been on my personal radar for his ideal landing spot if he ultimately decided to leave Charlotte. Fast-forward to today and it looks like that is becoming a reality, especially with the all-but-certain departure of Kyrie Irving. Add in the likely departures of Al Horford and Terry Rozier and the Celtics will have the necessary cap space to sign Walker to a four-year max contract, as Smith reported above.

This just makes too much sense for both sides, as Boston is looking for a replacement for Irving, as Walker is as similar as a player as they’ll find in free agency as a dynamic scoring threat at the point. For Walker, he would join a much more talented supporting cast that includes rising stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, a dependable player in Marcus Smart and a solid — albeit underachieving — piece in Gordon Hayward.

Unlike his situation if he went with the Lakers, Walker would still come in and be the No. 1 scoring option, but unlike his situation with the Hornets, Boston has a wealth of options to go to for scoring if Walker goes cold. Add the max contract in with the Celtics being a contender in the Eastern Conference over the last few years and this is a landing spot that simply makes sense for Walker, and it’s no surprise that Boston has jumped ahead as the front-runner in this race for Kemba.

Chance Walker signs with Boston: 40%

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