Kemba Walker is set to join the Boston Celtics to replace point guard Kyrie Irving, who is reportedly going to sign a free-agent deal with the Brooklyn Nets, as NBA free agency kicked off Sunday night.
Walker, a three-time All-Star with the Charlotte Hornets, said he would sign a four-year, $141 million contract to join them.
Also, Terry Rozier went from Boston to Charlotte on a three-year, $58 million deal.
Al Horford also is moving, from the Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers for a four-year contract with $97 million guaranteed.
The deal could be worth up to $109 million if certain incentives are reached, including championships.
The 6-foot-10 Horford averaged 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists for Boston last season.Walker spent his first eight NBA seasons in Charlotte.
Rozier has spent his four seasons in Boston, averaging nine points and 2.9 assists per game last year. His best season came in 2017-18 when he averaged 11.3 points per game and shot 38 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.
Rozier has started only 30 games but is now set to be the No. 1 point guard in Charlotte.
Walker led UConn to an NCAA title eight years ago. Charlotte could have offered Walker the so-called supermax deal of $221 million over five years.
Earlier this month, Walker said he would be willing to take less than the supermax figure to help Charlotte build a roster and said his “first priority” in free agency would be the Hornets. But amid reports that said the Hornets’ offer didn’t even reach $170 million, Walker clearly turned his attention elsewhere – as he said he would.
“I’m not saying that I’ll sign back with them. … If it doesn’t work out, I’m definitely prepared to play somewhere else,” Walker said earlier this month.
Boston turned out to be that somewhere else.
The Celtics have been bracing to lose Irving, and now have a three-time All-Star in Walker to slide into the starting spot.
Irving reportedly will be joining fellow free agent Kevin Durant in Brooklyn. Durant announced Sunday he would leave Golden State to sign a max deal with the Nets. Sources told ESPN.com that Irving would sign a four-year, $141 million deal with Brooklyn.
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