AUGUST 30: Walker’s Exhibit 10 deal is official, according to RealGM’s transaction log.
AUGUST 28: The Celtics are signing free agent shooting guard Lonnie Walker IV, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter), Walker will receive an Exhibit 10 training camp contract.
The 6’4″ swingman will be competing for the reigning champs’ 15th and final regular season roster spot. If Walker is waived before the regular season begins and decides to play in the G League with the Celtics’ affiliate, his Exhibit 10 contract would make him eligible for a bonus worth up to $77.5K.
Should he make Boston’s regular season roster, Walker could actually compete for rotation minutes off the bench, at least during the regular season. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer notes (via Twitter) that the veteran wing connected on almost 40% of his catch-and-shoot three-point tries across his past two seasons, while with the Lakers and Nets.
The 25-year-old is also deceptively athletic, and can finish effectively around the rim when given more extended time on the ball.
The high-flying guard spent his first four pro seasons with the Spurs, who selected him with the No. 18 pick out of Miami in 2018. He spent 2022/23 with the Lakers, providing useful bench minutes sporadically during L.A.’s run to the Western Conference Finals. In 2023/24, while on the lottery-bound Nets, Walker averaged 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.6 steals across 17.4 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .423/.384/.763.
Boston’s interest in Walker dates back at least to last season. Ahead of February’s trade deadline, the Celtics inquired with Brooklyn about a potential deal for Walker, tweets Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Sweet! I just mentioned the other day that I’d love to see Walker get Boston’s last roster spot. That being said, who knows if and when he’ll get minutes. Regardless, good signing.
Oh that CBA is kicking in, what tax bill lol. This guy definitely belongs on a roster, I hope he stays in Boston.
Having one more guy off of the bench that can get buckets is a nice luxury to have, especially if Joe decides to rest the Jays a little more than usual this season.
Its going to be interesting to see how the three wings at the end of the roster in Walker, Scheierman & Walsh all settle out. I have a feeling those last two may see a lot of time up in Maine if Lonnie makes the C’s roster which is not necessarily a bad thing.
Walker over those two at this stage. Lonnie will be valuable over a 82 game season for sure. Definitely needed cover for JT and JB. If he sticks around I’d expect him used for his position like a Kornet, Tillman etc. Spurts of playing decent minutes followed by out the rotation. I thought Svi deserved more burn last season, Walker is better than him.
Interesting. I thought they’d leave that 15th spot open, but with that said they have enough guys making low money on the back of the bench to make moves if need be. It’s interesting because Walker’s been getting minutes, and I don’t see that happening here. Either way, definitely good depth for Boston.
It should of course be noted that Lonnie CAN’T be converted to a Two-Way (due to 4 years of service time). He just gets bonus money if he spends time w/ the GLG team.
Boston has already signed three players to their Two-Way contracts, J.D. Davison, Drew Peterson & Anton Watson.
He will get a roster spot and rotation minutes. Good signing by the C’s.
Upgrade over Oshae IMO
Lonnie Walker and also Dennis Smith Jr. should definitely be on an NBA roster after they have made steps in the right direction in the last few years. I hope Lonnie gets the Celtics roster spot.
league is getting more and more competitive if someone like Lonnie Walker can’t get a guaranteed spot
Expansion time
Bring back the Sonics
Hopefully he makes the roster…
Didn’t seem to get many minutes at Brooklyn last year but when he came in I saw him get hot a few times. From three. So that fits the Celts. Good luck Lonnie!
Was hoping the 15th spot would go to Gallinari, but I think move will work out significantly better for him and the Cs
I thought the 76er’s woukd sign him. Talen Horton Tucker is one I thought would get a deal, too. 40 players or more come into the league somebody has to go.