The Celtics have signed free agent Lonnie Walker IV to a one-year deal, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The move solidifies the team’s roster, with Walker marking the team’s major free agent signing of the summer.
Free agent G Lonnie Walker IV has agreed on a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics, his agent George S. Langberg of GSL Sports Group tells ESPN. Walker IV averaged 9.7 points and shot 38% on three-pointers in 58 games for Brooklyn last season. pic.twitter.com/uAvrtsIQkD
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 29, 2024
Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the contract is an Exhibit 10 deal, meaning that the contract is non-guaranteed. Walker will join the team for training camp, but could be waived. If he joins their G-League affiliate in Maine, he’s owed a bonus and the contract could also be converted to a two-way deal.
Walker has a higher upside than the average free agent typically available this late in the summer — the 2018 18th pick averages 9.8 points for his career. Playing on a minimum contract on the Brooklyn Nets, Walker averaged 9.7 points last season, and shot 38% from three. He’s played for the Spurs, Lakers, and Nets during his six-year NBA career.
Walker is well-known for his massive game with the Lakers in the 2023 postseason — he scored 15 fourth quarter points in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Warriors, shooting 6-9 from the field in the closing period.
Earlier this summer, it appeared likely that the Celtics would leave the 15th roster spot open. At Summer League, Brad Stevens noted: “We kept fourteen most of the year last year.”
Brad Stevens on a potential Oshae Brissett return:
“We have to be mindful of, with the last roster spot, what our needs might be. Oshae had a terrific year with us… in his shoes, there might be the desire to play more, too. I always want to be respectful of that.” pic.twitter.com/LU5Dn5k1Zq
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) July 17, 2024
Given that the contract is a training camp deal, that’s still a possibility. But, Stevens also signaled the front office would assess who else might be available in free agency in the coming months.
“We’ll see how the next few months play themselves out with regards to people’s availability — obviously Kristaps is going to have a long rehab ahead of him,” Stevens said in July. “We have to determine, what’s the best need for our team in that 15th spot.”
Walker’s signing likely means that Oshae Brissett won’t be returning to the Celtics next season. Brissett and Svi Mykhailiuk are the only members of the 2024 championship team who won’t be on the roster next season. Mykhailiuk signed a 4-year, $15 million contract with the Utah Jazz earlier this month, while Brissett is still a free agent.
