The reigning NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, have reportedly added depth to their roster by signing guard Lonnie Walker IV to a one-year deal, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Walker, 25, entered the NBA as a first-round draft pick by the San Antonio Spurs in 2018. Although he appeared in only 17 games during his rookie season, he showed flashes of potential throughout his four seasons with the Spurs, where he averaged 9.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.
After his time with the Spurs, Walker joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2022-23 season. He averaged 11.7 points per game during the regular season but truly made his mark in the playoffs.
In a pivotal Game 4 against the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the 2023 playoffs, Walker scored 15 points in the fourth quarter alone, helping the Lakers secure a 3-1 series lead.
Walker’s performance in that game was a career highlight, but he struggled to maintain that level of impact during the following season with the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 9.7 points per game.
A New Opportunity in Boston
Walker’s addition to the Celtics offers him a chance to provide a scoring boost off the bench. Known for his ability to shoot from beyond the arc, with a career three-point shooting percentage of 35.6%, Walker could thrive in Boston’s offense.
Surrounded by stars like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porziņģis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White, Walker will have plenty of opportunities to capitalize on the spacing created by his high-profile teammates.
If Walker can consistently contribute as a shooter and secondary scorer, he could play a key role in Boston’s pursuit of another deep playoff run.
Celtics fans will also be hoping for more memorable postseason performances from Walker, reminiscent of his Game 4 heroics with the Lakers.
