Report: Lonnie Walker’s time with the Celtics might not be (completely) over

There may be formally hope for the Boston Celtics followers who fell in love with Lonnie Walker IV throughout his quick preseason stint with the staff. In response to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, Walker nonetheless has some followers in Boston’s entrance workplace.

“It’s complicated as to why he’s not on an NBA roster proper now,” Fischer mentioned. “I believe there’s absolute potentialities in Boston for Lonnie Walker to be with the Celtics at some factors this season… I’d not rule out Lonnie Walker to be a member of the Boston Celtics huge membership in some unspecified time in the future this 12 months.”

Simply final weekend, the Celtics made the choice to waive Walker IV and his non-guaranteed contract, regardless of having an open roster spot for him. As many have identified, the monetary penalties for even additional exceeding the wage cap would’ve value Boston a further $11 million, had they given the swingman a veteran minimal.

So, what’s modified?

Properly, nothing… but.

Fischer talked about that the Cs had put out exploratory calls to groups across the league with the objective of offloading Jaden Springer in thoughts. These calls, although unproductive within the preseason, might warmth again up once more because the February commerce deadline grows nearer.

Picture by China Wong/Getty Pictures

Although he’s an thrilling prospect, the 22-year-old Springer simply doesn’t match into the Celtics’ rotation. It’s powerful to compete with the likes of Jrue Vacation, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard for taking part in time with the three-point loving Cs, particularly while you’ve bought a profession capturing clip of simply 22.6% from distance. On high of that, his deal expires after the season. So, if Boston wished to maintain him round, they’d doubtless have to provide him a little bit of a elevate, too.

It wouldn’t be remotely stunning if there have been a staff (or groups) on the market who develop occupied with taking an opportunity on the previous Philadelphia 76ers guard by the deadline. He’s a stable defender who performs onerous. If a staff believes they’ll develop his offensive sport, then it might make sense for them to take a flier on him.

Boston can solely keep away from Springer’s wage counting in direction of their cap hit by buying and selling him. In the event that they have been to easily reduce him in favor of Walker, they’d nonetheless owe him his money.

Although there aren’t minutes awaiting Walker upon a possible return, his sport is at present higher suited to assist the Celtics than Springer’s is. He has the flexibility to create for himself and may even get scorching from past the arc.

Extra Jaden Springer/Lonnie Walker response: