Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics pulled off the first trade of the offseason, sending starting point guard Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Al Horford. While Horford will help shore up things for Boston in the frontcourt, their backcourt is now left with a big hole.

Walker was an integral part of the Celtics’ attack. He was the team’s third scorer behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. That scoring punch was not something Boston could afford to lose, as they do not have much shot creation outside Evan Fournier, should he re-sign, remaining on the roster.

Combined with his shot creation, Walker was also one of the lead ball handlers and initiators of the team’s offense. Strapped for cash in free agency and without an in-house option, the trade market is likely the only route Boston can take to fill their point guard void.

Malcolm Brogdon would be an excellent replacement for Walker. He would provide the Celtics a lot of the same impact offensively as a shot-creator, third scoring option behind Tatum and Brown and playmaking. Defensively, he would be a major step up from Walker as he can defend multiple positions.

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The Celtics could build a package around Smart to send back to Indiana and some of their younger players, such as Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith. A Fournier sign-and-trade, should he be a player Indiana is interested in, could also work.