Lonnie Walker IV playing for the Brooklyn Nets in 2024. Image courtesy of CLNS Media
The Boston Celtics’ roster is already one of the best in the entire NBA, having proven itself capable of winning a championship, which it did last season. They have, therefore, made the choice to run it back, having not made any moves through most of the offseason.
That was until late August, when the Celtics made their first major move of the offseason. Though not exactly a blockbuster, it was reported that free agent guard Lonnie Walker IV has agreed to a one-year deal with the team.
When a team is as stacked as the Celtics, they need not make any major moves in order to remain competitive. They are still the clear favorites to win next year’s title. But every team usually makes at least some form of stride in an offseason, and Boston has now done so.
But with their roster and starters already set, the signing of Walker IV comes off as an intriguing one, and one that was not exactly expected. The ways in which he will fit in with the team are essentially outlined in his contract.
Contract Details
The signing of Lonnie Walker IV mainly comes as a way to provide some depth to the team. Last season, the Celtics were lucky as they hardly needed to rely on any depth. Their starters stayed healthy throughout most of the season and postseason.
That is a rare feat, however, and the Celtics realize that luck may not fall their way again next year. If a major player gets hurt, they will need some depth to fall back on. Walker IV can be that depth.
The deal is a one-year contract, which contains an Exhibit 10, or E10 clause. An E10 clause allows a team to give a player a bonus if they are waived after training camp, provided he plays for the team’s G League affiliate. The offer is essentially a training camp invite to see if Walker IV can make the team.
In the case of Walker IV, he can receive a bonus if he plays for the Maine Celtics, the Boston Celtics’ G League Team, and is waived after training camp. This clause essentially indicates that Walker IV will, in all likelihood, serve as a bench or depth player for the Celtics, and will not be a starter.
Seasons are often roller coaster rides for teams, however. Not every one plays out like a dream season, as it did last year for the Celtics. Players get hurt, and Walker IV could easily fill the role of a starter if that happens. Or, if the Celtics want to give one of the starters a rest day, he can fill in.
More Than Adequate
It is easy to forget that Walker IV has a particularly deadly three-point shot, as he is a career 35.6 percent shooter from deep. Last season, he ranked in the 83rd percentile in corner three-pointers. If he can continue that, he will find playing time next season.
Over half of his shots last season came from deep. If Walker IV makes the team, he can take advantage of playing alongside stars that other teams will be keen on defending, creating space and lanes for Walker IV to cause damage (such as what he did for the Lakers in the 2023 playoffs).
It would be foolish to forget his defense, as well. Despite being just 6-foot-4, Walker IV possesses a wingspan of 6-foot-10, which will allow him to guard larger wings. That would come into play with a team like the Celtics, who arguably lean much heavier on offense than defense.
It is not a given that Lonnie Walker IV will make the Celtics’ roster next season. But if he lights it up in training camp, he will give them a legitimate bench option next season. That will make their already impeccable and championship-worthy roster even stronger for 2025.
