Celtics team president Brad Stevens speaks with media about Walker trade, offseason plans

New Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens gave his first solo press conference in that role on Monday to speak to the media about his first big trade as team president, sending veteran point guard Kemba Walker to the Oklahoma City Thunder for former Celtic Al Horford and big man Moses Brown.

Stevens also spoke on the offseason and the team’s general plans for team building for the 2021-22 campaign, though he did not go into specifics given the ongoing nature of such activities. He also made it clear that while there would be a time for such conversations later, for now, he was not taking questions regarding the team’s head coaching search.

“In fairness to the people,” explained Stevens, “that are under consideration, I want to make sure we’re doing this the right way.”

At the top of the docket was the timing of the Walker trade, which took place in the 2020-21 league calendar year. "We felt that one of the things that we wanted was the ability to be unencumbered moving forward, and to have a road ahead," explained Stevens. https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1407020499708809223?s=20

"This was not an ideal first few weeks on the job move," he added, "just because of the kind of person that Kemba is, the kind of professional he is, and how good of a player he is and continues to be." Stevens also confirmed Boston chose to move ahead of the draft because it wanted to use this year's draft pick in place of others. "That was a big driver in making this decision." Such a move allows the Celtics to make an especially aggressive offer despite some of the league rules which can complicate major trade offers. https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1407003662170329094?s=20

"We had to look at [the Walker trade] with the idea of moving that first-round pick this year gave us the opportunity to look at that road ahead with a few more options from a financial flexibility standpoint," Stevens explained.

"I think his ability to pass, his ability to play a couple of positions, but certainly stretch the floor against bigs," suggested the Celtics president. "His ability to lift others is one of his great strengths." https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1406975288651796482?s=20

"I think [bringing in veterans to support Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum] is an important thing," related Stevens when asked about offseason team-building plans still underway. "I think we have to be smart about it." Noting the limited means the Celtics have to effect such change, the former head coach also related the importance of potentially extending the team's own players as part of the process. https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1406929970090348545?s=20

"You have to be smart about it, and we have a lot of promising, young players," said Stevens.

With the potential for additional -- perhaps even aggressive -- roster moves set by Stevens, more change may yet be on the way. This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook! [lawrence-related id=52282,52272,52227,52216] [listicle id=52271]

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