Kemba Walker (8) controls the ball against Brooklyn Nets power forward Jeff Green (8). Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

NBA world reacts to Celtics, Thunder blockbuster trade

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Matt Johnson | Last updated 6/18/21

The first blockbuster trade of the NBA offseason is here, with the Boston Celtics sending Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Al Horford and pick swaps.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first broke the story , with the deal bringing Horford back to Boston along with center Moses Brown. In exchange for taking on Walker’s contract, Oklahoma City receives the No. 16 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

The Celtics are trading Kemba Walker, the No. 16 overall pick in the 2021 draft and a 2025 second-round draft pick to Oklahoma City for Al Horford, Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2021

It’s the first move for team president Brad Stevens, who stepped down as head coach and took over for Danny Ainge. Trade rumors surfaced early in June that Walker would be dealt this summer, and that’s the first thing Stevens did.

As word spread of the blockbuster deal, the NBA world lit up reactions to the huge move made by the Thunder and Celtics.

can we put that nba trade tweet away for a little bit

please don't encourage this

it's 915 am. i need breakfast.
— Matt Ellentuck (@mellentuck) June 18, 2021

The Thunder took on Horford for picks and then traded Horford for picks I’m cackling.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) June 18, 2021

"i told danny not to sign him." -brad stevens https://t.co/rFrFBbF7b9
— bomani (@bomani_jones) June 18, 2021

Sam Presti is the Joey Chestnut of draft picks
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) June 18, 2021

Sam Presti racking up even more first round picks for job security. https://t.co/nqDW6RegdY
— Randy (@pamsson) June 18, 2021

Latest update from the Real GM draft pick debt page. pic.twitter.com/jR5phFm1tK
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) June 18, 2021

brad stevens immediately trading kemba is mad funny
— eliminated honi (@HoniAhm) June 18, 2021

Celtics found the one thing that would FINALLY get Kemba to stop smiling: trading him to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) June 18, 2021

SAM PRESTI TURNED

DANNY GREEN
TERRANCE FERGUSON (out of the league)
VINCENT POIRIER (out of the league)

Into

THEO MALEDON
VASILIJE MICIC
KEMBA WALKER
2 1ST’S
1 2ND

STOP PLAYING WITH THIS MAN#ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/8QPRG35fdh
— ThunderChats (@ThunderChats) June 18, 2021