Per Woj: Celtics sign Lonnie Walker (waived)

[Roy H.]

I really feel Springer is a trade chip. I doubt he's going anywhere, at least early in the season. His salary is the only thing we can trade for someone meaningful if we had an injury or a pressing need later on. He's not there to make up the rotation, he's there for his $4m contract and what that can fetch back later on, at a time when Brad is in a better position to know what we might need. Kind of like a cheaper version of Kenyon Martin Jr, who the Sixers gave a 2 year $16m contract to act as a human trade exception.

There aren't really many useful players that make more than the minimum but less than $4 million.  The bad (luxury tax, roster spot, losing a better player) outweighs the good (a trade for a player that probably doesn't exist).

Who could we get with an open roster spot that would be better than Walker?  We can?t sign any buyout guys after the deadline.

We can sign buyout guys so long as they're not making more than the MLE.

No idea who that guy will be.  Based on past seasons, probably somebody not very good.

[Celtics2021]

If we can trade Springer in the next few days, we should keep Walker and resign Brissett, who?s also out there looking for a team.  The two of them cost only $100kish more than Springer.  Might as well fill up the roster to 15 for the title defense.

If we are unable to trade Springer, we should, and will, keep Walker.  He isn?t clearing waivers, and we just need to make a corresponding salary move by early February.

Relatedly, if we can get a second for Scheierman, I have seen enough to move on from him quickly.  He is not him.

[Celtics2021]

I really feel Springer is a trade chip. I doubt he's going anywhere, at least early in the season. His salary is the only thing we can trade for someone meaningful if we had an injury or a pressing need later on. He's not there to make up the rotation, he's there for his $4m contract and what that can fetch back later on, at a time when Brad is in a better position to know what we might need. Kind of like a cheaper version of Kenyon Martin Jr, who the Sixers gave a 2 year $16m contract to act as a human trade exception.

There aren't really many useful players that make more than the minimum but less than $4 million.  The bad (luxury tax, roster spot, losing a better player) outweighs the good (a trade for a player that probably doesn't exist).

Who could we get with an open roster spot that would be better than Walker?  We can?t sign any buyout guys after the deadline.

We can sign buyout guys so long as they're not making more than the MLE.

No idea who that guy will be.  Based on past seasons, probably somebody not very good.

Based on past seasons, most likely somebody who spent the year in Maine.  A couple times recently we have converted a 2-way to fill an open deadline spot: Hauser in 2022 and Queta last year.  We also brought up Kornet from Maine in 2022.  If we have an open spot after the deadline this year, I bet we fill it with either Peterson or Davison.

If you think about it, the Celtics had 5 open spots after the deadline in 2022, and one each in 2023 and 2024.  Three of the players they added to the 15-man roster after the deadline are still on the team.  That is a pretty good hit rate, all things considered.  The Celtics have not used those post deadline spots for in-season help, but rather for long-term roster building.

[Phantom255x]

Not sure why we signed him if the luxury tax implications were like this. Like what was the point?

I would prefer to keep him, he'd be the best 10th man in the league lol

[Goldstar88]

Not sure why we signed him if the luxury tax implications were like this. Like what was the point?

I would prefer to keep him, he'd be the best 10th man in the league lol

Holiday-Pritchard
White-Walker
Brown-Hauser
Tatum-Tillman
Porzingis-Horford

Looks good to me! 

[Roy H.]

Not sure why we signed him if the luxury tax implications were like this. Like what was the point?

I would prefer to keep him, he'd be the best 10th man in the league lol

My guess? They fully informed him and his agent that he may be waived and sent to Maine . If so, the team is probably hoping to keep him there until around the trade deadline, and then sign him essentially as a buyout.

The problem is, if they did that he would be a free agent and could be either claimed on waivers or signed by any team.

[radiohead]

I really feel Springer is a trade chip. I doubt he's going anywhere, at least early in the season. His salary is the only thing we can trade for someone meaningful if we had an injury or a pressing need later on. He's not there to make up the rotation, he's there for his $4m contract and what that can fetch back later on, at a time when Brad is in a better position to know what we might need. Kind of like a cheaper version of Kenyon Martin Jr, who the Sixers gave a 2 year $16m contract to act as a human trade exception.

There aren't really many useful players that make more than the minimum but less than $4 million.  The bad (luxury tax, roster spot, losing a better player) outweighs the good (a trade for a player that probably doesn't exist).

Who could we get with an open roster spot that would be better than Walker?  We can?t sign any buyout guys after the deadline.

We can sign buyout guys so long as they're not making more than the MLE.

No idea who that guy will be.  Based on past seasons, probably somebody not very good.

I totally forgot about his. That being said, I don?t think there will be any guy in that category who would be better than Walker. Interesting to see how Brad manages this. I?m almost sure some team will try to get Lonnie if he?s relegated to Maine.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

A gif for the occasion

https://frinkiac.com/video/S06E21/W7gg5q-eGdUsePP8Fj86qxOdKRg=.gif

[Vermont Green]

I did not get to watch the last game, but I see that Walker didn't play at all?  That seems strange for a guy who you would think they are trying to get a good look at.  That would imply to me that they have already made up their minds on him.

I am still not so sure we "need" Walker, but he does seem better than some of the other deeper bench guard options.  I assume that Pritchard and Hauser are locked in to their roles as the primary bench guys at guard and wing.  We only need to go beyond that when someone is out, which will happen.  In that case, Walker is a better option at guard, I guess, than Springer, and certainly better than Scheierman.  Walker probably doesn't play in the playoffs.

I wonder how much Walsh's improved play factors into this.  Walker and Walsh are not a match positionally, but I think if you decide that you can play Walsh on nights a guard or wing are out, you can let Walsh be the big wing, and then adjust everyone else.  Play Brown and/or Hauser more as guards than wings, instead of playing Walker as a guard.  I feel like we would be better off just keeping Walker.

[Roy H.]

Per Shams, he's been waived. 

[perks-a-beast]

Per Shams, he's been waived.

Bummer. I hope it?s a sign they like how Walsh has progressed and want to give him those minutes.

Frustrating cutting a bench guy who can actually generate some offense seeing as that?s been a bit of an issue for this team in the recent past.

[celticinorlando]

Per Shams, he's been waived.

Bummer. I hope it?s a sign they like how Walsh has progressed and want to give him those minutes.

Frustrating cutting a bench guy who can actually generate some offense seeing as that?s been a bit of an issue for this team in the recent past.

agree. Three roster spots now tied up for guys who cant produce much offense.

[SparzWizard]

Hopefully this is a move they won't regret, esp if he goes to another eastern conference rival like the Knicks or 76ers. Having additional depth who can produce on offense is important

[feckless]

Any injury to Holiday, White or Pritchard and we will regret this.

Springer has no offensive skills and hasn't improved in this area since we picked him up. 

Scheierman is 25 and he is supposed to be a shooter but his shot is just plain ugly and awkward.  Why are we keeping him?

[Birdman]

Ugh wanted him on the team