7 Basketball Players who Played for Thunder and Celtics
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Thunder and the Celtics.
Kendrick Perkins
Kendrick Perkins was selected in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft as the 27th overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies. He was subsequently traded to the Boston Celtics, where he began his career.
Perkins is best known for his time with the Celtics, where he played a crucial role as a strong and physical center. He was a part of the 2007-2008 Celtics team that won the NBA Championship.
During his career, he also played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Orleans Pelicans. Perkins wasn’t a prolific scorer, but he made his mark as a tough rebounder and an intimidating defensive presence.
*Perkins was the most popular player for this square in a previous grid (Grid 30)
Ray Allen
Ray Allen was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the fifth overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, he was immediately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. In Milwaukee, Allen emerged as one of the league’s premier shooting guards, making multiple All-Star appearances.
In 2007, Allen was traded to the Boston Celtics, teaming up with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to form a “Big Three” that won the NBA Championship in 2008. Allen’s clutch shooting was a major factor in the Celtics’ success during this era.
In 2012, Allen joined the Miami Heat where he continued to play a vital role as a sharpshooter, including a memorable game-tying three-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals, a series the Heat would ultimately win. This marked Allen’s second NBA Championship.
Allen Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Bucks, Celtics, Supersonics, Heat)
- All-NBA (Bucks, Supersonics)
- All-Star (Bucks, Supersonics, Celtics)
- NBA Championship (Celtics, Heat)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Bucks, Supersonics)
Gary Payton
Gary Payton, often known as “The Glove” for his defensive prowess, is widely recognized as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Payton was selected second overall in the 1990 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics.
Payton spent the majority of his career with the SuperSonics, where he was a nine-time NBA All-Star and a nine-time All-NBA selection. He was known for his defensive skills, earning NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1996 and being selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team nine times.
Payton was also great on the offensive end of the court, especially his scoring ability and his ability to create plays. He accumulated over 21,000 points and almost 9000 assists during his career. He won his only NBA Championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. Payton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
Payton Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Supersonics, Heat, Lakers, Celtics, Bucks)
- All-NBA (Supersonics)
- All-Star (Supersonics)
- NBA Championship (Heat)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Supersonics)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Supersonics, Lakers, Celtics)
Al Horford
Al Horford played collegiately at the University of Florida where he was an integral part of the team that won back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007. His effective inside game and defensive skills caught the eye of NBA scouts, leading him to be selected as the 3rd overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2007 NBA draft.
In Atlanta, Horford immediately made an impact with his rebounding, defense, and efficient scoring. He earned his first All-Star selection in 2010 and has gone on to be a five-time All-Star.
Horford had stints with the Celtics, 76ers and Thunder before returning to the Celtics in 2021. Over the course of his career, he has been lauded for his leadership and consistency on both ends of the court.
Horford Key Stats
- All-NBA (Hawks)
- All-Star (Hawks, Celtics)
- 10+ Rebound/Game Season (Hawks)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Celtics)
Nate Robinson
Nate Robinson was selected 21st overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2005 NBA Draft but was promptly traded to the New York Knicks. With the Knicks, he quickly became a fan favorite due to his energetic plays and ability to score against much taller opponents.
His time in New York showcased his talents, and Robinson became a three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion in 2006, 2009, and 2010.
Throughout his NBA career, Robinson played for multiple teams (8 in total), including the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Denver Nuggets, among others. Regardless of the team, his fearless approach and knack for making big plays in crucial moments remained consistent.
Jeff Green
Jeff Green has played for numerous teams in the NBA. He was initially drafted 5th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2007 NBA Draft, though he was immediately traded to the Seattle SuperSonics, where he spent the first part of his career.
Green has had a journeyman career, playing for 11 different teams in his 15-year career including the Thunder, Celtics, Grizzlies, Clippers, Magic, Cavaliers, Wizards, Jazz, Rockets, Nets, and Nuggets. He was a solid contributor to the Nuggets Championship this past season.
Green’s versatility and ability to play both inside and outside have allowed him to fit into various roles on different teams. He’s been both a starter and a valuable bench player throughout his career, contributing with his scoring, rebounding, and ability to defend multiple positions.
Dennis Schroder
After spending his early career playing professionally in Germany, Dennis Schröder was selected 17th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. Initially a backup to All-Star Jeff Teague, Schröder eventually took over as the Hawks’ starting point guard.
In 2018, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder where he served as a valuable contributor off the bench. His performance during the 2019-2020 season even earned him a runner-up finish for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
Over his ten-year career, Schroder has played for a total of five different teams including the Hawks, Thunder, Lakers, Celtics and Rockets.
Schroder Key Stats
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Hawks, Lakers)
Wally Szczerbiak
Standing at 6’7″, Szczerbiak played as a forward and was regarded for his scoring ability, basketball IQ, and sharpshooting from beyond the arc.
Szczerbiak was selected 6th overall by the Timberwolves in the 1999 NBA Draft. During his time with the Timberwolves, he emerged as a significant offensive weapon alongside Kevin Garnett, culminating in an All-Star selection in 2002.
In addition to the Timberwolves, Szczerbiak had stints with the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Over his career, he averaged 14.1 points per game, 4.0 rebounds, and shot an impressive 40.6% from three-point range.
