The Celtics and Thunder struck the first deal of the offseason Friday morning, agreeing to exchange Kemba Walker, the No. 16 pick in the upcoming draft and a 2025 second-rounder for Al Horford, Moses Brown and a 2023 second-rounder, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
While the move sees former All-Stars Walker and Horford change teams (the latter returning to Boston, where he played from 2016-2019), the primary angle here for both teams is creating flexibility. Walker has $73 million left on a contract that had come to weigh down the Celtics’ cap sheet. Horford appeared in just 28 games last season, with the Thunder choosing to develop younger talent instead, and should have a chance to contribute again in Boston.