It seems as time passes, more sources are pouring cold water on the idea that there is a rift between the Boston Celtics and their starting point guard Kemba Walker. Local station WCVB reporter Chris Gasper reports that a “team source denied the reported breakup and vehemently denied that the team was looking to trade Walker and pursue free agent Jrue Holiday last offseason.”
As to the last point, Gasper’s source claims the Holiday – Walker trade rumors are “total garbage” and “Walker has not informed the Celtics that he has soured on them.” Instead, the UConn product is reportedly focused on his health, specifically on the “balky knee that limited him to 43 regular-season games.”
Walker has publicly been visibly frustrated by how the knee and a re-injury via a bone bruise limited his availability this season, especially in the postseason.
Regardless of whether there is a rift or not, the New Yorker should not be surprised if his contract is shopped this offseason with all the shake-ups going on within the organization.
Still, the team may well first want to see what they have from Walker with a full offseason to rest and condition, with presumably greater availability and fewer back-to-backs to deal with.
Ultimately, it will depend on the inclinations of new team president Brad Stevens, part of those aforementioned shake-ups within the organization.
This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!