Why The Boston Celtics Do This Trade
The hole that was created by the Boston Celtics trading away Kemba Walker is more than just the need for a point guard. Marcus Smart and Payton Pritchard can handle point guard minutes, but it was the skill set that they would be missing by parting ways with the former UConn product.
Without Walker, the Celtics do not have a consistent third-scoring option behind Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. Smart and Evan Fournier were the only other players outside of those three to score in double-figures last season.
Boston must find another scorer as it was already an area of need heading into the offseason with Walker on the roster. They also need to replace his playmaking, as Tatum and Smart were the only other players to average at least four assists per game.
Subtracting Walker from the equation puts even more pressure on Tatum and Brown, but acquiring Brogdon would help alleviate a lot of it. Malcolm Brogdon had his injury concerns, but when he is on the court he can bring everything Walker did to it and more.
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Brogdon averaged a career-high 21.2 points per game last season and is a 38.6 percent 3-point shooter in his career. He has averaged 6.5 assists per game in his Indiana tenure, giving the Celtics the scoring playmaker they desire.
The Virginia product would also be a big improvement over Walker on the defensive side of the ball. Standing 6’5”, Malcolm Brogdon would bring some much-needed size to the backcourt and can defend either guard position. He could defend some wings in certain matchups as well.
