Lonnie Walker IV signs with Celtics, filling final roster spot on defending champs

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics have crammed their closing roster spot, reportedly signing guard Lonnie Walker IV on Wednesday night time. 

Brad Stevens continues to prepare dinner within the entrance workplace for the defending champs, as Walker was arguably one of the best free agent left in the marketplace. There is not any assure Walker will make the crew, as he is reportedly signed an Exhibit 10 contract — a non-guaranteed deal that’s basically only a coaching camp invite.

However getting a participant like Walker to fill the fifteenth spot on the roster is a humiliation of riches for the Celtics. The 25-year-old averaged 9.7 factors over 58 video games for the Brooklyn Nets final season, when he knocked down 38.4 % of his photographs from downtown. A primary-round choose by the Spurs in 2018 out of Miami, he performed 4 seasons with San Antonio and the 2022-23 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.

For his profession, Walker has averaged 9.8 factors per recreation off 42.2 % taking pictures total and 35.6 % from 3-point vary. Ought to he make the crew, he might earn some essential bench minutes because of his 3-point taking pictures and athleticism. His signing basically closes the door on a return for Oshae Brissett, who stays unsigned.

Brissett and Svi Mykhailuk (who signed with the Utah Jazz) will doubtless be the one members of the defending champion Celtics who won’t be returning subsequent season. Walker is the one free-agent signing by the Celtics this offseason, as Stevens made certain to deliver again almost everybody from final yr’s championship squad.