When the NBA's annual moratorium on signings was lifted on July 6, the Boston Celtics confirmed the move that many already knew was coming. Kemba Walker did, in fact, sign with the Celtics.
Walker, a former UConn star who spent the first eight years of his career with the Charlotte Hornets, agreed to come to the Celtics on a four-year, $141 million max deal. He was shipped to Boston via a sign-and-trade with the Hornets that sent Terry Rozier to Charlotte.
Though Walker's deal has been reported as a four-year pact, Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports is reporting that the final year of Walker's contract, the 2022-23 season, is a player option for Walker.
This has minimal impact on the Celtics as currently constituted. They know for a fact that they will have Walker under contract for each of the next three seasons at the very least. But, it is still notable that Walker will have a chance to opt-out before his age-32 season. If he wants to get one more long-term lucrative deal, much like Al Horford wanted to this offseason, he may exercise that option.
But still, that is three years away, and it's not something the Celtics need to worry about at the moment, especially given that Walker hasn't even stepped on the floor for them. It's just worth noting that Walker will have a way to get out of his contract before the final season of his deal.
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