As expected, while Lonnie Walker IV showed some solid traits in his brief Celtics stint, he was waived ahead of the regular season, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. That was a likely potential scenario as Walker was on an Exhibit 10 contract and there was only so much space on the Celtics roster.
Walker is now free to sign with any NBA team as he was waived. But there‘s also a chance he ends up on the G League Maine Celtics. Walker will then have a chance to continue within the C’s organization for a potential call-up later in the season if a roster spot frees up down the line.
Walker, 25, signed the Exhibit 10 contract ahead of camp despite more than 300 career NBA games played and entering his seventh pro season. But the former first-round pick wasn’t able to land a guaranteed deal, which is why he took a bet on himself by taking the training camp tryout with the Celtics.
While he initially didn‘t show too much in Abu Dhabi against the Nuggets, he had a strong showing to close out the preseason facing the 76ers then Raptors. Notably, he got some playing time with the Celtics’ second unit guys like Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser in a complementary role.
Walker‘s strong play had fans wondering if there was a chance the Celtics could retain him seeing as they do have that 15th roster spot open. But keeping Walker is a tough move from a financial perspective, as well, because the Celtics‘ payroll is so high. Between his salary and additional penalties, Walker would cost the team roughly $10 million. The C’s have also kept that final roster slot open for flexibility purposes.
Despite getting waived, Walker could still remain with the Celtics and be a contributor down the line even if it‘s not immediate as long as another team doesn’t scoop him up. The C‘s could free up a roster slot through trade then promote Walker to the active roster — that‘s happened in past years. For now, the G League looks likely for Walker’s future.
