Lonnie Walker IV, a former guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Boston Celtics. While this move gives him a chance to join the Celtics, his future with the team is uncertain. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Celtics may have other plans with Walker as the season approaches.
“The Celtics are adding Lonnie Walker IV to their roster, league sources tell me,” Charania wrote. “Those sources say the 25-year-old guard will be brought in on an Exhibit 10 contract, which allows Boston to give Walker a bonus if he is waived after training camp and plays for the team’s G League affiliate in Maine.
I’m told there’s a chance Walker is waived after camp to keep Boston’s 15th roster spot open going into the season.” Walker, who spent last season with the Brooklyn Nets, averaged 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists over 58 games. His shooting stats were solid, with a 42.3% field goal percentage and 38.4% from three-point range.
However, the Celtics may not keep him on their roster for long. The team is coming off an NBA championship and is looking to bolster their lineup further. Financial considerations play a significant role in this decision; keeping Walker could lead to hefty tax penalties for the Celtics. Additionally, the team is likely seeking a backup big man to support Kristaps Porzingis, who is expected to miss the start of the upcoming season.
Walker has had a varied career, being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2018 and later playing for the Lakers, where he made a notable impact in the playoffs. Now, as he joins his fourth NBA team, he faces the challenge of proving himself once again to secure a spot on the Celtics’ roster. If he doesn’t impress during training camp, he may find himself looking for a new team before the season begins.
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