Per Woj: Celtics sign Lonnie Walker (waived)

[Roy H.]

People complained when the Celtics didn?t trade for bad players because they wanted contracts to trade.  Now they have Springer on a high but not outrageous contract and everyone still complains.  I am not that worried about not keeping Walker.  We will see how that turns out.  Springer may still help the team or help with a trade. I like his defense. He is still very young.

The rules have changed significantly.  Having chunk contracts for useless players no longer benefits us.

[Big333223]

Maybe he'll be back, maybe he won't. The thing to remember is that we're talking about the 15th roster spot on the best team in the NBA.

[Goldstar88]

Maybe he'll be back, maybe he won't. The thing to remember is that we're talking about the 15th roster spot on the best team in the NBA.

I don?t look at it like that. It?s a long season and players get injured. Walker would have been the best SG the C?s have off the bench. Springer can?t shoot, Scheierman isn?t even close to being able to contribute. Lonnie would have been a good backup for D-White.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Maybe he'll be back, maybe he won't. The thing to remember is that we're talking about the 15th roster spot on the best team in the NBA.

I don?t look at it like that. It?s a long season and players get injured. Walker would have been the best SG the C?s have off the bench. Springer can?t shoot, Scheierman isn?t even close to being able to contribute. Lonnie would have been a good backup for D-White.

I suspect there are things going on behind the scenes we aren't aware of. He played well in pre-season. He outplayed the young guys. But this might be wink-wink type deal. Maybe they trade Springer for a different guy and then bring Walker back later in the season.

[Goldstar88]

Maybe he'll be back, maybe he won't. The thing to remember is that we're talking about the 15th roster spot on the best team in the NBA.

I don?t look at it like that. It?s a long season and players get injured. Walker would have been the best SG the C?s have off the bench. Springer can?t shoot, Scheierman isn?t even close to being able to contribute. Lonnie would have been a good backup for D-White.

I suspect there are things going on behind the scenes we aren't aware of. He played well in pre-season. He outplayed the young guys. But this might be wink-wink type deal. Maybe they trade Springer for a different guy and then bring Walker back later in the season.

Yeah, I hope so.

[Celtics2021]

Walker cleared waivers Monday, which was a little surprising to me.  Accordingly, going to Maine for a couple of months is still ann option.  Not one I expect him to take, but it seems like he won?t be on an opening night roster for a team.

[Roy H.]

Walker cleared waivers Monday, which was a little surprising to me.  Accordingly, going to Maine for a couple of months is still ann option.  Not one I expect him to take, but it seems like he won?t be on an opening night roster for a team.

If no team will offer him the minimum at this point, what option are you expecting him to take?  Overseas?  Workout privately and stay ready?

[dannyboy35]

  This was a weird one for me. Why bring him on at all? It?s over my head. I think people saying something behind the scenes makes sense.

[wdleehi]

  This was a weird one for me. Why bring him on at all? It?s over my head. I think people saying something behind the scenes makes sense.

To push the younger guys.   To see how a vet that can be added later in the year fits.   As a favor to the agent to show off one of their clients.   

[Goldstar88]

Hope he plays in Maine.

[Celtics2021]

Walker cleared waivers Monday, which was a little surprising to me.  Accordingly, going to Maine for a couple of months is still ann option.  Not one I expect him to take, but it seems like he won?t be on an opening night roster for a team.

If no team will offer him the minimum at this point, what option are you expecting him to take?  Overseas?  Workout privately and stay ready?

Reportedly Madrid is interested.  I imagine he could get 15-20x playing there instead of the G League, so I would expect overseas if he doesn?t have an NBA deal in the coming days.

[Vermont Green]

Turns out no team in the NBA wants Walker on their roster on a min contract. That is surprising, but the reality. He just isn?t that good. Not even good enough that any team wanted him as their 15th guy.  Again, I am surprised but 29 other teams agree with the Celtics on this one. 

[Roy H.]

Turns out no team in the NBA wants Walker on their roster on a min contract. That is surprising, but the reality. He just isn?t that good. Not even good enough that any team wanted him as their 15th guy.  Again, I am surprised but 29 other teams agree with the Celtics on this one.

I don't think it's that he's not good enough.  But, contenders are looking for ultra-cheap guys (think Jordan Walsh), and non-contenders are looking for upside.  With three 2-way players, teams can deal with depth issues.  There's not a lot of room for the 10th best guy on a team anymore.

But, is Walker a top-450 basketball player?  Easily.

[Vermont Green]

Turns out no team in the NBA wants Walker on their roster on a min contract. That is surprising, but the reality. He just isn?t that good. Not even good enough that any team wanted him as their 15th guy.  Again, I am surprised but 29 other teams agree with the Celtics on this one.

I don't think it's that he's not good enough.  But, contenders are looking for ultra-cheap guys (think Jordan Walsh), and non-contenders are looking for upside.  With three 2-way players, teams can deal with depth issues.  There's not a lot of room for the 10th best guy on a team anymore.

But, is Walker a top-450 basketball player?  Easily.

Sure, teams, including contending teams, have players on rookie contracts taking up roster spots. And whether Walker is a top 450 player or a top 350 player doesn?t matter much. Those last 50 to 100 players in the NBA are pretty interchangeable. Bottom line is that no team in the NBA thought Walker would help them. It seemed Like he could help the Celtics but I am not so sure. In any case, we will never know since he doesn?t seem like he will be playing in the NBA.

Brissett is another surprising one. I thought he helped the Celtics at times last season and could surely help a team this season. But he is still out there.  I like reset better than I like Walker. But in the end, neither is likely to make any difference.

[celticinorlando]

I think he goes to Maine, spends some time there...is called up and becomes an important part of Banner 19