Kemba Walker signing and Terry Rozier sign-and-trade become official; Celtics acquire 2nd rounder
Welcome @KembaWalker!! https://t.co/0Kp4VWSmJL— Amanda_Pflugrad (@Amanda_Pflugrad) July 7, 2019
The 2nd-round pick going to Boston was one the Hornets are getting from the Nets or Knicks (via Orlando). The Celtics pick that would go to the Hornets is protected, so it's possible the Hornets would never get that pick.— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) July 7, 2019
The moratorium has lifted and trades and signings can become official now. As expected the Celtics didn't acquire much in the Terry Rozier sign-and-trade. They will receive the worse of the Knicks or Nets 2020 2nd rounder, so likely the Nets'.
Kemba Walker is taking jersey number 8, which has everyone on Twitter busting out the "Time to find my old Employee #8 Antoine Walker jersey" joke.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 7, 2019
Was hoping that Tommy Heinsohn would allow Kemba to wear his retired #15 (Note, not saying un-retire or take down the number from the rafters.), but instead like almost every new player that joins the Celtics, Kemba will take a new number.
Kemba is into recycling— O Lims (@OLdub2) July 7, 2019
Terry Rozier gets a lot more number options in Charlotte and will go with #3 (He couldn't wear that in Boston, because of course it is retired, like again most numbers are here).
Terry Rozier will wear No. 3 with the Hornets. Likely an ode to D Wade, who Rozier says he has always idolized.— Chris Grenham (@chrisgrenham) July 7, 2019
I think the Celtics wanted to make it a three way sign-and-trade with Brooklyn, but my guess is the Nets were asking for too big of an incentive. Still an extra 2nd rounder is always nice.
Danny Ainge had this to say, now that he's allowed to comment on the signing:
Danny Ainge via press release: “Kemba has excelled in this league for many years while consistently playing at a level among the NBA’s elite. His expansive skillset and model of consistency will fit in seamlessly with what we’re trying to accomplish as an organization.”— Boston.com Celtics News (@BDCCeltics) July 7, 2019
Related: Video: Welcome to Boston, Kemba Walker hype mix
