Kemba Walker Joins the Celtics; Boston’s NBA Title Odds Go From +1400 to +1600

• Despite the addition of free-agent guard Kemba Walker, the odds of the Boston Celtics being NBA champions have lengthened
• Boston’s odds have jumped from +1400 to +1600
• The Celtics haven’t won the NBA Championship since 2008

In the refrain of one old pop tune, Kemba Walker heeded the wishes of the Celtics to please come to Boston. But to paraphrase the words of another popular hit song of a more recent era, as far as the oddsmakers were concerned, this move didn’t impress them much.

Before signing Walker as their replacement at point guard for the departing Kyrie Irving, the Celtics were listed at odds of +1400 in the NBA Championship odds across a variety of leading sportsbooks.

Today, with Walker signed, sealed and delivered, Boston’s odds of capturing next spring’s NBA title have jumped up to +1600.

2020 NBA Champioship Odds

*Odds taken on 07/01/19. Follow link for a complete list of all teams.

The Celtics have won an NBA-record 17 titles. But Boston last played in the NBA Finals in 2010. The Celtics haven’t reigned as NBA Champions since 2008.

What Walker Brings to Boston

Signed to a four-year, $141-million max contract, Walker was a third-team All-NBA selection in 2018-19. The three-time All-Star hit for a career-high of 25.6 points per game with the Hornets. That broke down to 43.4% field-goal percentage from the floor and 35.6% from three-point range. He grabbed 4.4 rebounds, dished out 5.9 assists, and grabbed 1.2 steals in 34.9 minutes of playing time per night.

Kemba Walker is joining the Celtics on a 4-year, $141M max contract, per @wojespn

(from B/R X @americanexpress) pic.twitter.com/sQtLzM7W7U

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 30, 2019

But in eight NBA seasons, Walker has played in just 11 playoff games, all against the Miami Heat. He’s never been on the winning side in a series and is 4-7 overall in postseason action.

Walker’s most recent playoff action came in the spring of 2016. He does hold a New England championship pedigree, though. In college, Walker led UConn to the 2011 NCAA title.

Left at the Altar

In terms of personnel the Celtics sought to add, clearly Walker wasn’t the first choice on Boston’s offseason wish list. The Celtics were rebuffed by Anthony Davis. Kevin Durant went elsewhere.

Even with Walker on board, Boston still looks like a team swimming in uncertainty. Al Horford and Aron Baynes are gone, leaving a hole to be filled at the post position.

New #Celtics All-Star Kemba Walker discusses why he joined Boston https://t.co/JwDwwK4ygi

— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) July 1, 2019

In Boston’s offense, Gordon Hayward and Jayson Tatum need enough touches to get their shots off. Can Walker find a balance between shooting himself and dishing to them? It’s a quotient that Irving was never able to master.

There’s a solid nucleus were with Waker, Hayward, Tatum, and Marcus Smart. Boston is better than most in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. But the Celtics still aren’t solid enough to run with the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, or even the Philadelphia 76ers for that matter.

Welcome to Boston Kemba Walker pic.twitter.com/Cb3tQLWpdc

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 30, 2019

The oddsmakers see Boston battling the Brooklyn Nets for fourth overall in the East.

That seems about right.