Can Lonnie Walker make a case to stick on Celtics’ roster?

Can Lonnie Walker make a case to stick on Celtics’ roster? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

One of the many perks of being a championship team is an enhanced ability to entice free agent players. Veterans will at least ponder budget-friendly deals for a chance to bask in the championship afterglow. To the victor goes the free-agent spoil.

The Celtics already hooked a couple of their own free agents on team-friendly minimum pacts (Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman) at the start of the summer, and Wednesday night the team added an intriguing training camp invite in Lonnie Walker IV.

The 25-year-old Walker, a veteran of six NBA seasons, is a former first-round pick of the San Antonio Spurs. How appropriate that the 18-time champions are adding the 18th pick from the 2018 NBA Draft.

Walker spent time with Derrick White in San Antonio, then had stops with the Lakers and Nets. Walker averaged 9.7 points over 17.4 minutes per game in 58 appearances (all off the bench) last season in Brooklyn. He shot 38.4 percent on all 3-pointers — including an eye-catching 45 percent on all corner 3s — giving hope that he might rekindle some of the long-range success he displayed early in his career.

Walker’s potential is undeniable. He’s only 6-foot-4 but oozes athleticism. He has a huge wingspan which allows him to guard bigger wings. His individual defensive metrics were excellent despite Brooklyn’s woes last season.

The bigger question here is whether Walker — or any other potential roster addition — can make a true case for the Celtics to carry a 15th player into the regular season.

The Celtics currently have 14 guaranteed contracts for the 2024-25 season, and three two-way players signed. Tax penalties make it cumbersome to carry a 15th player, at least if they don’t project to see steady minutes.

Still, Walker would add some depth to a somewhat depleted wing spot. The only two departures from last season’s title team were backup wings Oshae Brissett and Svi Mykhailiuk. The Celtics selected 6-foot-6 wing Baylor Scheierman with the 30th pick in this year’s draft.

Boston potentially could carry a non-guaranteed contract…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/lonnie-walker-case-stick-celtics-131459045.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-08-29 13:14:59

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