The Boston Celtics had until 5:00 PM to make a decision on rostering Lonnie Walker IV. They decided not to convert Walker IV’s Exhibit-10 contract and waived him, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
Walker averaged 7.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.5 steals per game while shooting 42.9 percent from the field in four preseason games with Boston.
If the Celtics had signed Walker IV, it would’ve pushed them into the next tax bracket, so they would have a $4.25 tax multiplier for every $1 spent.
Walker would’ve been on a veteran minimum of about $2.1 million, which would be a tax hit of near $8.8 million, and become upwards of $11 million total to keep Walker, per Keith Smith of Spotrac.
Walker is now available for teams to sign off the waiver wire. But if he clears waivers and is still available, he’ll like join Boston’s G League team in Maine.
The team, from top to bottom, has been really impressed with Walker IV. If he ends up in Maine, then there’s always the chance that he could end up in Boston.
Walker IV says he’ll continue to bet on himself and his story isn’t finished yet.
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