Boston Celtics Receives: John Wall
Houston Rockets Receives: Kemba Walker, Tristan Thompson, 2021 2nd Round Pick (via OKC), 2022 2nd Round Pick (via CHA)
This is a good deal for each team because it allows them to build up their current rosters while also building up for the future as well. The Boston Celtics would benefit from having a savvy veteran in John Wall on their roster, while the Rockets would benefit from the addition of two solid role players and draft compensation.
The Houston Rockets would add to their stash of draft picks by moving John Wall to the Boston Celtics. Given that both he and Kemba Walker have less-than-favorable contracts, the reward would not be robust for the Rockets to complete such a deal, but it would still add more second rounders, nevertheless.
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One of the main benefits for the Celtics in this scenario is the ability to move an aging point guard on a bad contract for one that is signed to a deal that is one year closer to expiration. For reference, John Wall is signed through 2022-23 with the final-year being a player option.
This isn’t a trade that would change the landscape of the NBA by any means. Instead, it would be a bet by the Celtics that John Wall could fit better alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown while also getting Boston one season closer to having a massive amount of salary cap spending room at the point guard position coming off their books.
This trade gives both sides exactly what they’re looking for in terms of talent, and it’s a very fair deal between two competitive rosters. Let’s take a look at how this trade directly impacts each team directly.