Celts send Walker, 16th pick to Thunder for Horford

BOSTON » The Celtics are bringing Al Horford back, trading point guard Kemba Walker to Oklahoma City for the five-time All-Star Friday in Brad Stevens’ first major move since he moved from Boston’s bench to the front office.

Boston will also send the No. 16 overall pick and a 2025 second-rounder to the Thunder and receive 7-footer Moses Brown and a 2023 second-round pick.

The Thunder now hold 19 first-round draft picks over the next seven years.

Horford returns to Boston and gives the Celtics the frontcourt presence they’ve lacked since he left two seasons ago. The 6-foot-9 was forward was a member of the NBA All-Defensive team with the Celtics in 2017-18 while also posting the best assist numbers of his career. Stevens coached Horford for three seasons and says he played a “critical role” while in Boston.

“His ability to elevate teammates with his experience and leadership make for a great addition,” Stevens said. “We also want to welcome Moses to Boston. He is a promising young player.”

Walker joins a team that finished with the second-worst record in the West last season but showed potential with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort, who averaged 14 points and was a premier one of the league’s best defensive guards.

Walker, 31, is guaranteed more than $73 million over the next two seasons. But after helping the Celtics reach the East finals in the NBA bubble last season the four-time All-Star was limited by knee injuries to 43 games in 2021; he missed the last two games of the firstround playoff loss to the Brooklyn Nets.