PG Walker to sign four-year, $141 million deal with Celtics

[July 02, 2019]    Three-time All-Star Kemba Walker has agreed to join the Boston Celtics on a four-year, $141 million deal, his agent, Jeff Schwartz, confirmed to ESPN.

Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) talks to his bench during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports - 12494853

Walker spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Charlotte Hornets.

Sources also confirmed to ESPN that as part of the agreement, Charlotte will send Walker to Boston as part of a sign-and-trade that will move point guard Terry Rozier to the Hornets. Rozier will then sign a three-year, $58 million deal.

Just a few weeks ago, Walker said he would take less than the five-year, $221 million "supermax" contract only the Hornets could offer him to stay in Charlotte.

The Charlotte Observer reported on Saturday, however, that team officials were set on paying less than $170 million because of concerns about the NBA luxury tax in the future.

In Boston, he will replace Kyrie Irving at point guard. A fellow free agent, Irving agreed to a four-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, according to multiple reports.

Walker, a 29-year-old Connecticut product, averaged 25.6 points and 5.9 assists while starting all 82 games for the Hornets last season. Those numbers are above his eight-year career averages of 19.8 points and 5.5 assists.

--Field Level Media

[© 2019 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2019 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.