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 time.
Free agent G Lonnie Walker IV has agreed on a one-year cope with 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 a part of the staff for coaching camp, however could possibly 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 common free agent usually accessible this late in the summertime — the 2018 18th decide averages 9.8 factors for his profession. Taking part in 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 sport with the Lakers within the 2023 postseason — he scored 15 fourth quarter factors in Sport 4 of the Western Convention semifinals towards the Warriors, capturing 6-9 from the sphere within the closing interval.
Earlier this summer time, it appeared doubtless that the Celtics would go away the fifteenth roster spot open. At Summer season League, Brad Stevens famous: “We saved fourteen many of the 12 months final 12 months.”
Brad Stevens on a possible Oshae Brissett return:
“We now have to be aware of, with the final roster spot, what our wants could be. Oshae had a terrific 12 months with us… in his footwear, there could be the need 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 chance. However, Stevens additionally signaled the entrance workplace would assess who else could be accessible in free company within the coming months.
“We’ll see how the subsequent few months play themselves out almost about folks’s availability — clearly Kristaps goes to have a protracted rehab forward of him,” Stevens mentioned in July. “We now have to find out, what’s the perfect want for our staff in that fifteenth spot.”
Walker’s signing doubtless implies that Oshae Brissett gained’t be returning to the Celtics subsequent season. Brissett and Svi Mykhailiuk are the one members of the 2024 championship staff who gained’t be on the roster subsequent season. Mykhailiuk signed a 4-year, $15 million contract with the Utah Jazz earlier this month, whereas Brissett remains to be a free agent.
