Why the Celtics chose to waive Lonnie Walker IV originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
After joining the Boston Celtics on an Exhibit 10 training camp invite, Lonnie Walker IV knew he faced an uphill battle to make the team’s opening night roster. Largely for reasons beyond his own control.
Despite an intriguing camp in which he reaffirmed to the Celtics and the rest of the league that he can still be an NBA contributor, Walker was waived Saturday when the Celtics opted to carry just 14 players on their roster heading into opening night of the 2024-2025 season. season.
Celtics players and coaches raved about Walker’s positive energy and relentless work ethic. That culminated Friday evening when, after the team gathered for the annual Shamrock Gala in Everett, Walker moved to the Auerbach Center gym for a midnight workout during his final hours with the team.
Ultimately, the luxury tax conspired against Walker. The Celtics are already about to pay a hefty tax bill. Carrying Walker on a $2 million minimum salary contract could have still cost the team more than $10 million if the team had not otherwise reduced salary before the end of the season.
Walker started slowly during Boston’s first two preseason games in Abu Dhabi, but shined when the Celtics moved to the United States. He did just about everything he could to force the Celtics to think carefully about recruiting a fifteenth player.
The team simply prioritized flexibility and money management. The fact that Walker forced the team to think carefully about carrying him speaks to how much of an impact he made with his approach and play.
Walker will have the opportunity to join the Maine Celtics as an affiliate player. Unlike Boston’s three two-way players — rookie Anton Watson, J.D. Davison and Drew Peterson — the Celtics wouldn’t be able to draft Walker without first signing him to the parent roster. Shuffling to Boston’s roster in-season could open a path to bringing Walker back on the road.
The decision to cut Walker gives someone like Jaden Springer the opportunity to prove the team made the right investment last season by acquiring him in the second round. But Springer must continue to develop to justify the $4 million salary, which also comes with tax penalties.
The Celtics could have brought Walker into the regular season as the fifteenth player without an immediate penalty. But it would have limited ability to add players and could pose challenges if the team wanted to cut costs before the trade deadline.
Walker should get attention from NBA teams struggling with preseason injuries. Some of Boston’s rivals might be intrigued by what they saw in Walker’s preseason play with the Celtics.
