The Celtics have signed free agent Lonnie Walker IV to a one-year deal, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The transfer solidifies the workforce’s roster, with Walker marking the workforce’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, which means that the contract is non-guaranteed. Walker will be a part of the workforce for coaching camp, however may very well 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 the next upside than the common free agent usually obtainable this late in the summertime — the 2018 18th choose 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 large recreation with the Lakers within the 2023 postseason — he scored 15 fourth quarter factors in Recreation 4 of the Western Convention semifinals towards the Warriors, taking pictures 6-9 from the sphere within the closing interval.
Earlier this summer time, it appeared probably that the Celtics would go away the fifteenth roster spot open. At Summer season League, Brad Stevens famous: “We saved fourteen many of the yr final yr.”
Brad Stevens on a possible Oshae Brissett return:
“We’ve to be aware of, with the final roster spot, what our wants may be. Oshae had a terrific yr with us… in his sneakers, there may be the will to play extra, too. I all the time wish 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 obtainable in free company within the coming months.
“We’ll see how the subsequent few months play themselves out as regards to folks’s availability — clearly Kristaps goes to have a protracted rehab forward of him,” Stevens mentioned in July. “We’ve to find out, what’s one of the best want for our workforce in that fifteenth spot.”
Walker’s signing probably 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 workforce 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.
