Shams: Celtics Sign Jordan Walsh to 3 Year/$15 Million Deal

[Donoghus]

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
?
29s
Boston Celtics forward Jordan Walsh has agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract extension with the franchise through the 2029-30 season, sources tell ESPN. Boston picked up Walsh's $2.4M option on next season and adds three more years for their 2023 second-rounder.

[Who]

Smart deal for the team. Low risk good upside. 

Not sure it is a smart deal for J Walsh. I would bet on myself if I were on his shoes. If he can develop any type of a 3 point shot, he would be worth the MLE. So 3 yrs / $45mil.

He doesn't need that much to get there. He has the defense & the rebounding. He just needs to be able to make enough wide open jump-shots to stay on the court for 30mpg. Then he is a league average to above average player.

This contract is like ... he is betting against himself. That he can't develop that 3 point shot and he will take the 3yrs $15mil long term security over betting on his talent.

[Phantom255x]

While I'm not super high on Walsh, that's an incredible deal for the team. Technically that 5.4M can also be more useful in a future trade involving the some salary-matching, but even as a defensive role player that's great value.

[Roy H.]

He's a likeable guy, but regarding "optionality" I'm not sure that Walsh will ever provide much more than we could get out of a vet minimum player.  I'm not really seeing this as the incredible value / betting against himself that others have said.

I'm curious to see if it's all guaranteed.  In general, I don't like the idea of locking in borderline rotation players.  But, the team must see some more growth coming from him.

[Donoghus]

Team friendly deal.  I'm fine with it.  If he actually does something, then it'll look real good.

[Goldstar88]

Smart deal for the team. Low risk good upside. 

Not sure it is a smart deal for J Walsh. I would bet on myself if I were on his shoes. If he can develop any type of a 3 point shot, he would be worth the MLE. So 3 yrs / $45mil.

He doesn't need that much to get there. He has the defense & the rebounding. He just needs to be able to make enough wide open jump-shots to stay on the court for 30mpg. Then he is a league average to above average player.

This contract is like ... he is betting against himself. That he can't develop that 3 point shot and he will take the 3yrs $15mil long term security over betting on his talent.

In Walshs 3 years in the NBA he has made $5M. So making $5M/year for 3 years sets him up for life. He is only 22 years old, so if he breaks through he would be looking at MLE money at age 25. I think it was a smart move by both sides.

[celticinorlando]

Meh.

[Atzar]

Solid deal.  Could be a bargain if he continues to improve.  Very tradeable contract if he doesn't.

[Vermont Green]

I don't know if this is such a bad deal for Walsh.  He is only 22.  He will be, what, 26 at the end of this contract?  If he does develop his shooting touch, he will have plenty of time to make good money.  In the meantime, $15M (on top of the current $7.6M) should set him up for life.  In any case, I doubt this is his last contract.

Walsh is a tough call.  Kind of like the Red Sox season.  Other than a couple of week stretch last season, he has not been very good.  How he played in that couple of weeks is probably why he got this contract.  He could make a big leap this season for sure, and outplay this contract moving forward.  But it is still very much TBD what his steady state level of play is.

After mid Dec. last season, he was a 4 pts/gm player with 33% 3P% (this exclude the stretch where he didn't miss a 3 for like 5 games or something).  Prior to Mid Dec. he was 8 pts/gm and 49% 3P%, with most of that production coming in a 5 to 6 game stretch (two 20+ pts games and a 17 pts game).

[jambr380]

I personally think this is a great deal for the Celtics. Walsh had a stretch last year where he basically looked like a future two-way star - with excellent defense and ability to score inside and out. I realize that he didn't continue that through the season, but he has the build/athleticism and the desire to learn and get better. We all thought he was about to fizzle out after a less than stellar summer league.

I think one of Walsh's biggest issues is belief in himself, which is probably why he signed this less than impressive contract, but I'm hoping he can continue to build off of what he was doing last year. Even if he is just a part time defensive specialist, it's still good value. And easy to trade if it gets to that point.

[celticinorlando]

Good deal on the cheap to get another body on the roster. Just do not think Walsh is any good nor has he made much improvement since being in the NBA.

[Jiri Welsch]

Harper, Queta, and now Walsh.

Seems like the Celtics believe locking up "solid" guys on cost-controlled deals gives them a chance to compete in the modern NBA.

Hopefully Pritchard is next!

[Celtics2021]

He's a likeable guy, but regarding "optionality" I'm not sure that Walsh will ever provide much more than we could get out of a vet minimum player.  I'm not really seeing this as the incredible value / betting against himself that others have said.

I'm curious to see if it's all guaranteed.  In general, I don't like the idea of locking in borderline rotation players.  But, the team must see some more growth coming from him.

My guess is the final year will not be guaranteed (either via team option or a guarantee date).  It says to me that the Celtics do not know which wing is going break through from the Random Wing (TM) collection, but see enough promise in Walsh to commit to him for longer.  He did take a real step forward last year, and as he is only 22, I am okay with the small gamble.  I also would have been okay with just playing out the season with him. He will still be making less than Scheierman.

It does seem like the team is heading towards being between the first and second apron, and at the very least a tax team, next year.

[Celtics2021]

Harper, Queta, and now Walsh.

Seems like the Celtics believe locking up "solid" guys on cost-controlled deals gives them a chance to compete in the modern NBA.

Hopefully Pritchard is next!

Pritchard was actually first!  Not sure his next deal will be quite the same bargain.

[Redz]

Harper, Queta, and now Walsh.

Seems like the Celtics believe locking up "solid" guys on cost-controlled deals gives them a chance to compete in the modern NBA.

Hopefully Pritchard is next!

Pritchard is going to an interesting test of how badly he wants to be a Celtic.  This will likely be the guy?s best chance to cash in in his career.