Thunder plan to sit down with Kemba Walker next week

The Celtics sent Kemba Walker to OKC in a blockbuster trade last week. Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

Thunder GM Sam Presti plans to sit down with Kemba Walker next week

Originally posted on FortyEightMinutes | By Chris Crouse | Last updated 6/24/21

Thunder general manager Sam Presti didn’t want to give up big man Al Horford, but he loved getting point guard Kemba Walker.

“With Al, he’s an extraordinarily high-character, positive professional,” Presti told the media. “We feel like with Kemba, we’re getting a very similar person. Values-wise, very similar.”

The Thunder landed Walker and the No. 16 overall pick from the Celtics in a trade last week. In exchange, OKC sent Horford and center Moses Brown to Boston.

Walker has yet to spend time with the Thunder in person, but the team plans to meet with the point guard next week.

“He’s been out of the country,” Presti said. “We’ve been in Chicago [at the NBA Combine], so I’m going to spend some time with him next week and sit down and get a better feel for him as a person. Everything we know about him is extremely positive.”

There were rumblings that Walker wasn’t thrilled with the trade, but the Thunder plan to make Walker feel welcome and enjoy his experience just as they did with Horford and Paul in recent seasons.

“We’re excited to have him,” Presti said. “It’s hard to find guys that score and create shots in the NBA.”

This article first appeared on FortyEightMinutes and was syndicated with permission.

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