NEW YORK — The Celtics look like a revamped team coming out of the summer, and while title contention might not be in the works this season, the goal was always looking toward the future. Boston president Brad Stevens tinkered with the team’s payroll, shedding contracts and salary in the name of flexibility.
But, of course, there’s the human element to the league as teammates become foes.
The Celtics will see that firsthand in their season opener at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday against the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. Both Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier were with the C’s just months ago. They’re now with the Knicks after signing with them during free agency.
While there were plenty of criticisms thrown Walker’s way for his Celtics tenure, his former teammates still throw heaps of praise onto him. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston’s resident All-Stars, still talk fondly of Walker and say the point guard was one of the best teammates they’ve ever had.
“He was one of the people I drew inspiration from,” Brown said of Walker. “Things I learned when Kemba was here, I added to my game. He was always somebody who — despite circumstances, despite however I felt — he was always somebody that was just like, ‘Be patient, you’re fine, your time is coming.’”
Walker signed a max contract for four years with Boston, but because of injury and knee issues, he was shipped away just two years into the deal. Stevens was looking to unload the hefty contract, sending him to Oklahoma City in a trade that brought Al Horford back to the Celtics. Walker was able to negotiate his buyout, opening the path for the Bronx native to play for his hometown Knicks.
It was a rocky two years in Boston for Walker, one that ended with him sidelined for the final two games of the first-round playoff series against Brooklyn.
While many wonder why Walker’s tenure didn’t work, Brown said that talk is “subjective” based on what they accomplished. Brown pointed out how in Walker’s first season, they made an Eastern Conference Finals run in the NBA Bubble. Walker was also effective that year, earning a starting spot in the All-Star game as one of many scorers for the Celtics.
“I think it did work,” Brown said. “I think we did mesh and while I think we didn’t necessarily achieve what we wanted to, I don’t think that’s on him. I don’t think it was because of him.”
Walker said he wasn’t sure why his time in Boston didn’t end up working out. He added that he doesn’t believe it had anything to do with his basketball skills, instead deferring to his health and that left knee. But, no, he said he wasn’t expecting to be traded in what was a rare mid-playoffs trade between two eliminated teams.
Much like his former teammates, Walker was only complimentary of Boston’s All-Star tandem of Brown and Tatum. Brown said he learned a lot from Walker on the court, whether that was his pick-and-roll “wizardry” and becoming a ball-handler in those situations.
The knee feels better, Walker said, as he navigated the preseason without too many issues. And as expected, there will be some extra motivation coming from Walker’s side.
“It’s my old team,” Walker said Tuesday after Knicks practice. “Yeah, it matters. But I don’t go into any game thinking I want to lose, you know? So, I definitely want to win. Does it make it that much better that it’s my old team? Yeah, no question.”
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