Per Woj: Celtics sign Lonnie Walker (waived)

[Vermont Green]

I think that is the whole point.  Our bench guards right now are Pritchard and Hauser.  Hauser can play some (small) forward too, but he is an option at guard.  After these two, the next up is Springer, who to date, has not shown to be a reliable rotation player (but he is still young), with Scheierman way behind the rest (had trouble keeping up with summer league).

That is the whole question with Walker, can he be a reliable rotation level guard, like Pritchard and Hauser, that is better than Springer and the other options.  If he isn't able to play at that level in preseason, I am not sure what good it would do to sign him to a G-League deal.  He is 25 (26 in December).  He is what he is.  I don't think time in the G-League is going to change that.  I believe they are hoping he can make the team as a reliable rotation guard, and that he will make the team and play a role.  If not, what would be the point?

[Roy H.]

I think that is the whole point.  Our bench guards right now are Pritchard and Hauser.  Hauser can play some (small) forward too, but he is an option at guard.  After these two, the next up is Springer, who to date, has not shown to be a reliable rotation player (but he is still young), with Scheierman way behind the rest (had trouble keeping up with summer league).

That is the whole question with Walker, can he be a reliable rotation level guard, like Pritchard and Hauser, that is better than Springer and the other options.  If he isn't able to play at that level in preseason, I am not sure what good it would do to sign him to a G-League deal.  He is 25 (26 in December).  He is what he is.  I don't think time in the G-League is going to change that.  I believe they are hoping he can make the team as a reliable rotation guard, and that he will make the team and play a role.  If not, what would be the point?

Saving money.  If he is still unsigned after the trade deadline, the team could potentially add him, at a cost that is several million dollars cheaper.  He'd still have a chance to add something.

Obviously, I think most of us would prefer that the team at as many NBA level players as possible, money be [dang]ed.  But, it's just not the reality of most teams, even contenders.

[Vermont Green]

I think that is the whole point.  Our bench guards right now are Pritchard and Hauser.  Hauser can play some (small) forward too, but he is an option at guard.  After these two, the next up is Springer, who to date, has not shown to be a reliable rotation player (but he is still young), with Scheierman way behind the rest (had trouble keeping up with summer league).

That is the whole question with Walker, can he be a reliable rotation level guard, like Pritchard and Hauser, that is better than Springer and the other options.  If he isn't able to play at that level in preseason, I am not sure what good it would do to sign him to a G-League deal.  He is 25 (26 in December).  He is what he is.  I don't think time in the G-League is going to change that.  I believe they are hoping he can make the team as a reliable rotation guard, and that he will make the team and play a role.  If not, what would be the point?

Saving money.  If he is still unsigned after the trade deadline, the team could potentially add him, at a cost that is several million dollars cheaper.  He'd still have a chance to add something.

Obviously, I think most of us would prefer that the team at as many NBA level players as possible, money be [dang]ed.  But, it's just not the reality of most teams, even contenders.

Yeah, there could be contract/cap manipulations in play but if he plays well enough in the preseason to prove he can be a decent rotation guard, are they then going to ask him to sit in Portland for half the season?  He won't be on a two way so he can't be "called up".  I guess if he is willing to do that, to just kind of hang out in case someone on the Celtics gets injured, it would be a good deal for the Celtics, but if he proves he can play, another team is likely to claim him from Portland.  We can't stop that, right?

No, I think he either makes the team or he doesn't.  If he doesn't play well enough in the preseason to earn a place as a rotation player, I don't see much point in sending him to Portland (no real harm in that I guess if he would accept it).  If he does play well, he probably doesn't settle for a G-League contract.

[Goldstar88]

I think that is the whole point.  Our bench guards right now are Pritchard and Hauser.  Hauser can play some (small) forward too, but he is an option at guard.  After these two, the next up is Springer, who to date, has not shown to be a reliable rotation player (but he is still young), with Scheierman way behind the rest (had trouble keeping up with summer league).

That is the whole question with Walker, can he be a reliable rotation level guard, like Pritchard and Hauser, that is better than Springer and the other options.  If he isn't able to play at that level in preseason, I am not sure what good it would do to sign him to a G-League deal.  He is 25 (26 in December).  He is what he is.  I don't think time in the G-League is going to change that.  I believe they are hoping he can make the team as a reliable rotation guard, and that he will make the team and play a role.  If not, what would be the point?

I don?t see why not. He?s done it before. In Walker?s 6 year career he has averaged 10ppg while shooting 36% from 3pt. Seems more than capable of playing behind Sam and Pritchard. Walker is a veteran player.

[Surferdad]

I think that is the whole point.  Our bench guards right now are Pritchard and Hauser.  Hauser can play some (small) forward too, but he is an option at guard.  After these two, the next up is Springer, who to date, has not shown to be a reliable rotation player (but he is still young), with Scheierman way behind the rest (had trouble keeping up with summer league).

That is the whole question with Walker, can he be a reliable rotation level guard, like Pritchard and Hauser, that is better than Springer and the other options.  If he isn't able to play at that level in preseason, I am not sure what good it would do to sign him to a G-League deal.  He is 25 (26 in December).  He is what he is.  I don't think time in the G-League is going to change that.  I believe they are hoping he can make the team as a reliable rotation guard, and that he will make the team and play a role.  If not, what would be the point?

Saving money.  If he is still unsigned after the trade deadline, the team could potentially add him, at a cost that is several million dollars cheaper.  He'd still have a chance to add something.

Obviously, I think most of us would prefer that the team at as many NBA level players as possible, money be [dang]ed.  But, it's just not the reality of most teams, even contenders.

Yeah, there could be contract/cap manipulations in play but if he plays well enough in the preseason to prove he can be a decent rotation guard, are they then going to ask him to sit in Portland for half the season?  He won't be on a two way so he can't be "called up".  I guess if he is willing to do that, to just kind of hang out in case someone on the Celtics gets injured, it would be a good deal for the Celtics, but if he proves he can play, another team is likely to claim him from Portland.  We can't stop that, right?

No, I think he either makes the team or he doesn't.  If he doesn't play well enough in the preseason to earn a place as a rotation player, I don't see much point in sending him to Portland (no real harm in that I guess if he would accept it).  If he does play well, he probably doesn't settle for a G-League contract.

I agree with this. I don?t see why LW would want to go to Maine after 6 reasonably productive seasons in the NBA. Then add the risk of another team scooping him up and the whole idea of Maine seems unrealistic.

Sign him to a real contract and he should get rotation backcourt minutes behind Pritchard and Hauser.

[Big333223]

I think that is the whole point.  Our bench guards right now are Pritchard and Hauser.  Hauser can play some (small) forward too, but he is an option at guard.  After these two, the next up is Springer, who to date, has not shown to be a reliable rotation player (but he is still young), with Scheierman way behind the rest (had trouble keeping up with summer league).

That is the whole question with Walker, can he be a reliable rotation level guard, like Pritchard and Hauser, that is better than Springer and the other options.  If he isn't able to play at that level in preseason, I am not sure what good it would do to sign him to a G-League deal.  He is 25 (26 in December).  He is what he is.  I don't think time in the G-League is going to change that.  I believe they are hoping he can make the team as a reliable rotation guard, and that he will make the team and play a role.  If not, what would be the point?

I'm confused by the bolded. I don't think Hauser played a single minute of guard last season. He's a 6'8" SF who played some PF too. He and Lonnie Walker are not going to be competing for the same minutes.

[Goldstar88]

I think that is the whole point.  Our bench guards right now are Pritchard and Hauser.  Hauser can play some (small) forward too, but he is an option at guard.  After these two, the next up is Springer, who to date, has not shown to be a reliable rotation player (but he is still young), with Scheierman way behind the rest (had trouble keeping up with summer league).

That is the whole question with Walker, can he be a reliable rotation level guard, like Pritchard and Hauser, that is better than Springer and the other options.  If he isn't able to play at that level in preseason, I am not sure what good it would do to sign him to a G-League deal.  He is 25 (26 in December).  He is what he is.  I don't think time in the G-League is going to change that.  I believe they are hoping he can make the team as a reliable rotation guard, and that he will make the team and play a role.  If not, what would be the point?

I'm confused by the bolded. I don't think Hauser played a single minute of guard last season. He's a 6'8" SF who played some PF too. He and Lonnie Walker are not going to be competing for the same minutes.

Sam is listed at 6?7?/ 217lbs. Seems like he?s better equipped to play the 2/3. I don?t think he has the size/strength to play against power forwards.

[trickybilly]

I cannot see why Lonnie is even being compared to Springer.

Lonnie is a completely proven NBA player, with a big shooting sample size, and insane motivation to try to have a career year (cf. risk that he plays too much hero ball).

Springer has a >4 million dollar cap hit - can we waive him and save money?

[Roy H.]

Springer has a >4 million dollar cap hit - can we waive him and save money?

No, his contract is guaranteed.

[liam]

I think that is the whole point.  Our bench guards right now are Pritchard and Hauser.  Hauser can play some (small) forward too, but he is an option at guard.  After these two, the next up is Springer, who to date, has not shown to be a reliable rotation player (but he is still young), with Scheierman way behind the rest (had trouble keeping up with summer league).

That is the whole question with Walker, can he be a reliable rotation level guard, like Pritchard and Hauser, that is better than Springer and the other options.  If he isn't able to play at that level in preseason, I am not sure what good it would do to sign him to a G-League deal.  He is 25 (26 in December).  He is what he is.  I don't think time in the G-League is going to change that.  I believe they are hoping he can make the team as a reliable rotation guard, and that he will make the team and play a role.  If not, what would be the point?

I'm confused by the bolded. I don't think Hauser played a single minute of guard last season. He's a 6'8" SF who played some PF too. He and Lonnie Walker are not going to be competing for the same minutes.

Sam is listed at 6?7?/ 217lbs. Seems like he?s better equipped to play the 2/3. I don?t think he has the size/strength to play against power forwards.

6'8.0? in shoes ...

[Roy H.]

I think that is the whole point.  Our bench guards right now are Pritchard and Hauser.  Hauser can play some (small) forward too, but he is an option at guard.  After these two, the next up is Springer, who to date, has not shown to be a reliable rotation player (but he is still young), with Scheierman way behind the rest (had trouble keeping up with summer league).

That is the whole question with Walker, can he be a reliable rotation level guard, like Pritchard and Hauser, that is better than Springer and the other options.  If he isn't able to play at that level in preseason, I am not sure what good it would do to sign him to a G-League deal.  He is 25 (26 in December).  He is what he is.  I don't think time in the G-League is going to change that.  I believe they are hoping he can make the team as a reliable rotation guard, and that he will make the team and play a role.  If not, what would be the point?

I'm confused by the bolded. I don't think Hauser played a single minute of guard last season. He's a 6'8" SF who played some PF too. He and Lonnie Walker are not going to be competing for the same minutes.

Sam is listed at 6?7?/ 217lbs. Seems like he?s better equipped to play the 2/3. I don?t think he has the size/strength to play against power forwards.

6'8.0? in shoes ...

Yeah, Hauser isn't that much smaller than a lot of guys who play PF in the league.  A lot of publications have Tatum as the same height and a lower weight than Hauser.  Tatum is significantly more athletic and seemingly stronger, but Hauser's size is pretty typical for a 3/4.

[Goldstar88]

[Roy H.]

[Big333223]

I think that is the whole point.  Our bench guards right now are Pritchard and Hauser.  Hauser can play some (small) forward too, but he is an option at guard.  After these two, the next up is Springer, who to date, has not shown to be a reliable rotation player (but he is still young), with Scheierman way behind the rest (had trouble keeping up with summer league).

That is the whole question with Walker, can he be a reliable rotation level guard, like Pritchard and Hauser, that is better than Springer and the other options.  If he isn't able to play at that level in preseason, I am not sure what good it would do to sign him to a G-League deal.  He is 25 (26 in December).  He is what he is.  I don't think time in the G-League is going to change that.  I believe they are hoping he can make the team as a reliable rotation guard, and that he will make the team and play a role.  If not, what would be the point?

I'm confused by the bolded. I don't think Hauser played a single minute of guard last season. He's a 6'8" SF who played some PF too. He and Lonnie Walker are not going to be competing for the same minutes.

Sam is listed at 6?7?/ 217lbs. Seems like he?s better equipped to play the 2/3. I don?t think he has the size/strength to play against power forwards.

6'8.0? in shoes ...

Yeah, Hauser isn't that much smaller than a lot of guys who play PF in the league.  A lot of publications have Tatum as the same height and a lower weight than Hauser.  Tatum is significantly more athletic and seemingly stronger, but Hauser's size is pretty typical for a 3/4.

fwiw, basketball reference lists him at 6'8". It also estimates his time spent at each position as 54% at SF, 33% at PF, only 12% at SG (with 1% at C) which tracks with what I remember watching. Hauser can switch onto a guard if he has to but he is not a natural SG in this NBA at all.

[Vermont Green]

The Celtics list Hauser at 6'-7".  At the draft combine, he measured as follows:

Measured 6'-6.75? barefoot, 6'-8.0? in shoes 8'6.0? standing reach, 217.4 lbs, and 6'-9.25? wingspan at the 2021 NBA Draft Combine

He is not even 6'-7" barefoot.  Barefoot is how the league tracks height now and that is how they measure me when I go to the Doctor.  Some players can be not even 6'-7" and play as a big/PF, but Hauser is not one of them.  He does not rebound well enough.  Averaged only 3.5 Rebs/game last season (a career high), and that is on a team that hardly plays bigs.

Gordon Hayward is also listed at 6'-7" but 225 lbs, so he is bigger/beefier than Hauser.  Gordon Hayward averaged 4.4 rebs/gm for his career with seasons as high as 6.7 rebs/gm.  Even Gordon Hayward is a better rebounder than Hauser.  Hayward is a 2/3, just like Hauser is a 2/3.

These days, there isn't all that much difference between a 2/SG and a 3/SF, they are both essentially wings, almost interchangeable.  But there is a bigger difference between a wing/SF and a big/PF.  You can be a 3/4, a SF/PF swing or whatever you want to call it but it requires a greater level of versatility than being a 2/3.  Hauser does not have that level of versatility.

Hauser mostly played in line ups where there were 2 guards (most often Pritchard and Holiday) along with Tatum and a big.  He also played 3rd most with White, Brown, Horford, and Porzingis.  This latter one, you could have Hauser as a guard or a forward.  I know the majority see this differently but I like Hauser as a guard.  His height is an advantage if he plays as a SG, easier to shoot over people.  I like him fine as a SF too.  But I do not like him at all as a PF.