1) Trade targets Chicago Bulls shouldn’t pass on in 20-21
Yet another injured star that the Bulls might be able to buy low on the trade market later this season, once the trade deadline gets closer in 2021, is the Boston Celtics 30-year-old former UConn Huskies point guard Kemba Walker. The former Charlotte Hornets All-NBA Team selection is also a a four-time All-Star selection in his career to date.
Walker is likely to be out recovering from a knee injury until some point next month. But his progress didn’t seem to be too great in the last few weeks, so it’s hard to pin the exact timeline he’s recovering on.
Nonetheless, Walker was still very productive and efficient in his inaugural run with the Celtics last season. He had a bit more inconsistency than he had in his final year with the Hornets, but that was largely to be expected in his first season with the Celtics.
During the shortened 2019-20 regular season, Walker played in 56 games with the Celtics (all of which he started in). And he averaged 20.4 points per game, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks. Walker shot 42.5 percent from the field, 38.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 86.4 percent from the free-throw line.
Despite the doubt coming Walker’s way in his inaugural campaign with the Celtics last season, he registered a career-best 4.6 box plus/minus rating, .162 win shares per 48 minutes, and a 57.5 true shooting percentage.
Walker is due just under $40 million per year for each of the last three years remaining over the life of his current contract. But he does have a player option that he can pick up ahead of the 2022-23 season.