The Boston Celtics were able to retain almost their entire championship roster this summer, and head into the 2024-25 regular season with the same core of players. There are a few new faces with the preseason around the corner, including guard Lonnie Walker IV.
The Celtics inked Walker to an Exhibit 10 deal at the tail end of the offseason. He has a chance to earn a role with Boston if he impresses during training camp. Walker spent last year as a key reserve for the Brooklyn Nets, and has historically been a good offensive weapon since joining the NBA in 2018. Defense has been a concern, but Walker’s ability to score in bunches has helped him carve out a role in the league. The former University of Miami Hurricane is working hard to impress the Celtics front office, but understands it will be an uphill battle.
Walker could find his way on the team by way of a role with the club’s G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics. In a recent interview with CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning, he outlined his willingness to fight for a role.
“I have to earn it,” Walker IV said. “Being on an E10, it’s not guaranteed. I’m not coming in here with the mindset of ‘Ok, I’m on an E10 and afterward, I’m going to get the guaranteed contract’.”
“I have got to work my tail off, he added. “Really have to, each and every day, put it all on the court. First one in the gym, hopefully the last one out. Come back later on and shoot, and just be physically and mentally prepared for the outcome. He also mentioned there’s a possibility that I might spend some time in the G League with Maine, and honestly, I’m perfectly fine with that.”
At the time of this writing, the Celtics do have an open roster spot. Adding additional salary does result in an even steeper tax bill for the team, however. As Manning pointed out, even Walker’s veteran minimum salary of roughly $2.1 million would result in a penalty north of $10 million in salary tax.
Joining the team up in Portland could be mutually beneficially. For the Celtics, it would reduce their total tax bill in the short term while they continue to evaluate the tail end of their roster, so long as another team doesn’t inquire about his services.
Walker, meanwhile, would remain in the team’s orbit with a chance to get the time and opportunity to show off what he can do. He told Manning he is motivated by the lack of a guaranteed deal and ready to look ahead.
“I wish I had a clear-cut answer for why I didn’t get a guaranteed deal,” Walker IV said. “It’s just the way the cards are falling.”
“I’m not going to stop or put my head down because I’m not given what I expected. Until then, I will continue to pound the rock, every day I’m trying to be better than what I was yesterday.”
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Publish date : 2024-09-26 07:46:00
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