Lonnie Walker IV's NBA journey has taken an interesting path, and it's one that Spurs fans aren't likely following closely. After spending the entire offseason as a free agent—a surprising development given his skill set—Walker has finally secured a spot with the Boston Celtics, albeit on an Exhibit 10 contract. For a player with his talent and potential, it's shocking that it took this long for a team to give him a shot.
Walker has a lot to offer an NBA team
Walker is only 25 years old, but he’s already shown flashes of brilliance in his NBA career. Last season, he averaged 10 points per game and shot an impressive 38% from beyond the arc. In a league that prioritizes spacing and shooting, those are numbers that should have made him an attractive free-agent target from the start. Walker is also a top-tier athlete, known for his explosiveness and ability to thrive in transition. His athletic gifts make him a perfect fit for teams looking to push the pace and score in the open court.
What makes Walker’s extended time as a free agent even more puzzling is knowing that he's shown immense potential for performing in high-pressure situations. He famously had a massive fourth quarter in a playoff game for the Lakers against the Golden State Warriors, where his heroics were key to securing a crucial win in that series.
That game was a standout moment in his career, showing that he could deliver when it mattered most. It was the kind of performance that should have put him on the radar for any team in need of a reliable scoring option off the bench. Even Devin Vassell, his former teammate with the Spurs, took notice, commenting on social media about how puzzling it was that Walker wasn’t getting the opportunities he deserved.
Now with the Celtics, Walker faces another challenge. The Exhibit 10 contract means he’s essentially on a tryout; he’ll have to prove himself during training camp to earn a spot on the regular-season roster.
If he can make the most of this opportunity, Walker could finally find the stability he’s been searching for in his NBA career. It’s hard to imagine that a player with his skill set won’t bring something valuable to the Celtics or any team willing to give him a real chance. Walker's journey might have had its twists and turns, but this could be the moment when everything starts to click.
