The Celtics have signed free agent Lonnie Walker IV to a one-year deal, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The transfer solidifies the staff’s roster, with Walker marking the staff’s main free agent signing of the summer season.
Free agent G Lonnie Walker IV has agreed on a one-year take care of the Boston Celtics, his agent George S. Langberg of GSL Sports activities Group tells ESPN. Walker IV averaged 9.7 factors and shot 38% on three-pointers in 58 video games for Brooklyn final season. pic.twitter.com/uAvrtsIQkD
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 29, 2024
Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the contract is an Exhibit 10 deal, that means that the contract is non-guaranteed. Walker will be part of the staff for coaching camp, however might be waived. If he joins their G-League affiliate in Maine, he’s owed a bonus and the contract is also transformed to a two-way deal.
Walker has a better upside than the typical free agent sometimes out there this late in the summertime — the 2018 18th decide averages 9.8 factors for his profession. Enjoying on a minimal contract on the Brooklyn Nets, Walker averaged 9.7 factors final season, and shot 38% from three. He’s performed for the Spurs, Lakers, and Nets throughout his six-year NBA profession.
Walker is well-known for his huge recreation with the Lakers within the 2023 postseason — he scored 15 fourth quarter factors in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals in opposition to the Warriors, taking pictures 6-9 from the sector within the closing interval.
Earlier this summer season, it appeared possible that the Celtics would depart the fifteenth roster spot open. At Summer season League, Brad Stevens famous: “We stored fourteen many of the 12 months final 12 months.”
Brad Stevens on a possible Oshae Brissett return:
“We have now to be aware of, with the final roster spot, what our wants may be. Oshae had a terrific 12 months with us… in his footwear, there may be the will to play extra, too. I all the time need to be respectful of that.” pic.twitter.com/LU5Dn5k1Zq
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 17, 2024
On condition that the contract is a coaching camp deal, that’s nonetheless a risk. However, Stevens additionally signaled the entrance workplace would assess who else may be out there in free company within the coming months.
“We’ll see how the following few months play themselves out almost about folks’s availability — clearly Kristaps goes to have an extended rehab forward of him,” Stevens stated in July. “We have now to find out, what’s one of the best want for our staff in that fifteenth spot.”
Walker’s signing possible implies that Oshae Brissett received’t be returning to the Celtics subsequent season. Brissett and Svi Mykhailiuk are the one members of the 2024 championship staff who received’t be on the roster subsequent season. Mykhailiuk signed a 4-year, $15 million contract with the Utah Jazz earlier this month, whereas Brissett continues to be a free agent.
