The Celtics entered this summer time restricted in what they might do, however they nonetheless ended up making some notable strikes. Add Lonnie Walker IV to that listing because the reigning champs agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the veteran guard.
An Exhibit 10 contract means a coaching camp invite as they’re non-guaranteed offers and for the minimal wage. Walker will get $77,500 if he elects to play with the G League Maine Celtics for at the least 60 days and doesn’t make the NBA roster.
Regardless, it is a low-risk transfer for the Celtics contemplating the non-guaranteed nature of the deal. The C’s do have an open roster spot as they solely have 14 assured contracts presently. However the group has elected to maintain that fifteenth roster spot open up to now few years, which seemed to be plan primarily based on latest feedback from C’s president Brad Stevens.
The 6-foot-4 Walker affords a lot to love coming into his seventh season within the NBA. He was a one-and-done prospect popping out of Miami, so he’s nonetheless comparatively younger at 25. Walker additionally hit 38.4% of his 3-pointers final season on 4.7 makes an attempt per sport. He’ll need to battle to make the C’s roster all through coaching camp, which is able to open in roughly a month.
Walker is betting on himself that he can keep on with the Celtics. He additionally did the identical factor final season with the Nets, signing for a minimal deal. Walker confirmed some flashes, averaging 9.7 factors and a pair of.2 rebounds in 58 video games for Brooklyn final season. Walker was one of many higher free agent guards nonetheless obtainable, so it’s considerably shocking he signed with a loaded C’s roster.
A giant a part of the Celtics’ energy as contenders is that they’re bringing again nearly the identical roster because the title group. There are some variations for the bench, however the top-8 of the rotation returns to Boston. So taking part in time goes to be a premium for newcomers — particularly for guys like Walker.
However the Celtics are clearly creating their bench gamers properly, which may have been a contributing issue for Walker. On final 12 months’s roster, depth guys who didn’t get constant minutes discovered success elsewhere. Each Dalano Banton and Lamar Stevens had robust stints for his or her new groups after getting traded away. Guard Svi Mykahiliuk, who completed the season with the C’s, acquired a four-year, $15 million contract from the Jazz.
So, even when taking part in time isn’t essentially there for Walker, sharpening his sport behind-the-scenes for among the best groups within the league can maintain some attraction. If Walker does make the roster, he may present some spark minutes behind Payton Pritchard, who’s coming off a career-best 12 months.
Walker can also be a luxurious for the Celtics at this level contemplating the state of their roster. Massive man Kristaps Porzingis had offseason surgical procedure for his uncommon leg harm suffered within the NBA Finals, protecting him sidelined for the opening few months of the season. Which means large man depth is a precedence, which is why the C’s re-signed Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta and Xavier Tillman. However an harm to a front-court participant may necessitate signing one other depth large man. So Walker isn’t a necessity, however he does up the competitors stage at camp.
The Celtics acquired at the least just a little stronger in having Walker be a part of the group with the Exhibit 10 contract. Even when he doesn’t contribute, he’s additionally an insurance coverage choice. Backside line: the Celtics added a younger guard on a non-guaranteed deal who has performed in 322 profession NBA video games. So far as potential depth contributors go, that’s a strong signing at this level of the offseason.