Walker returns to Celtics in shocker
Associated Press
Antoine Walker is coming back to Celtics after the Celtics traded Gary Payton, Tom Gugliotta and Michael Stewart and a first-round draft pick to the Hawks.
ESPN.com Insider Chad Ford broke the news of the deal on a busy Thursday, the NBA's trading deadline.
Walker spent seven years with the Celtics from 1996-2003, helping them reach the Eastern Conference finals in 2001-02. But basketball boss Danny Ainge decided after taking over the team during the '03 postseason that it would be better off without its strongest all-around player and its strongest personality.
Nine days before the 2003 season opener, Ainge traded Walker along with guard Tony Delk to the Dallas Mavericks for center Raef LaFrentz, guard Jiri Welsch and a first-round draft pick. Welsch was traded to the Cavaliers on Thursday for a 2007 first-round draft pick.
As a TV analyst before he took over the Celtics, Ainge made no secret of his distaste for Walker's game. When Walker was traded, Ainge commented less on his play than on his influence on the locker room, saying the player "had a grasp on the franchise."
"He's been the best player here for quite a while. He's been a vocal leader in the locker room," Ainge said at the time. "Now we're going in a different direction."
Walker leads the Hawks with 20.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 40.2 minutes per game. In his career, Walker averages 20 points and 8.7 rebounds.
Payton, who reluctantly came to the Celtics in a summer trade from the Lakers, reportedly was in talks with the Celtics about a contract extension. Payton is eligible to become a free agent after this season.
Payton, in his 15th season in the NBA, has started all 54 games this season for the Celtics averaging 32.8 minutes a game.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1998923