After winning the NBA Finals in convincing fashion this year, the Boston Celtics have shown no signs of slowing down. They are 2-0 to begin the 2024-25 season and have looked dominant. A large reason for this has to do with Boston’s continuity. With the exception of Svi Mykhailiuk and Oshae Brissett, every member from last season’s championship team stuck around. Furthermore, the team only has one new player currently on the team–rookie Baylor Scheierman. However, Scheierman was not the only notable player the team added this offseason. Before the start of training camp, the Celtics signed Lonnie Walker IV to an Exhibit 10 contract. This was a shocking development given how good of an NBA player Walker is. However, the Celtics waived him before the start of the regular season. Though this was a bit controversial, it may be more strategic than anything.
According to Jake Fischer via the Bleacher Report app, there is a possibility the Celtics will re-sign Walker at some point during the season. Per Fischer, the Celtics will likely need to move on from a player on the team, and the insider revealed the most likely candidate.
“I think there’s absolute possibilities in Boston for Lonnie Walker to be with the Celtics at some point this season. The issues, of course, that were displayed all over Twitter and the internet has been the fact that the Celtics, with their massive payroll being into the second apron, just have such a crazy tax hit for just even a minimum contract. What will make things a lot easier for Boston, and this is something that probably happens far closer to the February trade deadline…just keep an eye on the Celtics potentially moving Jaden Springer come February to bring on someone like Lonnie Walker or another back-of-the-bench minimum salary player,” Fischer said.
Jake Fischer Believes Boston Celtics May Bring Back Lonnie Walker IV
Analyzing Jake Fischer’s Lonnie Walker IV Rumor
What Fischer said makes sense. It is known that the Celtics are a historically expensive team due to the contracts they have handed out for the last few seasons. Because of this, it is increasingly difficult for the Celtics to hold on to other players on the team without moving on from anybody. As Fischer says, Boston’s best bet is to trade a player like Springer away. Springer, who the Celtics acquired at last season’s trade deadline, looked promising in the little bit he played last season into the preseason. However, the 22-year-old has only logged six total minutes through two games this season. Additionally, it seems unlikely he will crack the Celtics’ rotation at any point this season.
Springer has a ton of upside, but barring injury or other circumstances, he will not get an opportunity in Boston this season. Additionally, Springer is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Though he will likely hit restricted free agency in the offseason, there is a legitimate chance the Celtics decide against re-signing Springer. Trading him during the season could be beneficial for both sides. This is especially true if the Celtics are planning to bring Walker back to the team.
The Last Word
There is no doubt that Walker is too good to be a free agent this late in the year. However, it seems likely the former first-round pick will join a team by the end of the season. Whether he comes back to Boston or signs with another team, however, remains to be seen.
