The Boston Celtics had their arms tied after possession dedicated over $930 million to its championship-defending beginning lineup of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Vacation and Derrick White. But, that did not cease president of basketball operations Brad Stevens from focusing on the free company market in August.
Boston agreed to a one-year, Exhibit 10 contract with guard Lonnie Walker IV, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania, offering the dynamic six-year veteran an opportunity to safe a roster spot following coaching camp. The Celtics punted on retaining Oshae Brissett and Svi Mykhailiuk this offseason, which left open a door for the crew’s last roster spot for Walker, who after a 58-game run with the Brooklyn Nets in 2023-24, despatched a self-motivating message months earlier than agreeing to phrases with the Celtics.
“I ain’t even attain my prime but, y’all gonna see quickly,” Walker printed on X on June 29. “The apology higher be simply as loud because the disrespect.”
Walker’s undergone a journeyman’s flip after a productive four-year stint with the San Antonio Spurs, with whom he averaged 9.4 factors on 41.4% taking pictures from the sphere with 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists after being chosen 18th general within the 2018 draft. The 25-year-old settled for one-year offers with the Nets and Los Angeles Lakers the previous two seasons, nonetheless unable to determine an efficient defensive id, though exhibiting loads of flashes of offensive upside within the course of. Walker shot 38.4% from 3-point vary final season, together with 50.9% from nook threes and 39.6% (67-for-169) on catch-and-shoot threes, which mixed with a capability to deal with the ball, makes him an improve over each Brissett and Mykhailiuk — who each performed minimal off-the-bench roles in head coach Joe Mazzulla’s reserve rotations final season.
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The stress of residing as much as the jaw-dropping payroll determine, mixed with Walker’s seek for a multi-year contract, make the Celtics and Walker a probably picture-perfect bond. Each side are hungry to show themselves in numerous methods, though a championship would show itself helpful immensely, particularly with Walker scheduled to hit the free company market once more in 2025.
Granted, that is an extended street forward, however nonetheless one Walker’s possible envisioning after seeing the Celtics seize their 18th title over two months in the past, from afar.
