OT: Lonnie Walker, Updates

[ConstableGeneva]

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[SLCceltic]

very Well DONE ! Brad has the perfect temperament and personality to keep pulling these moves off. Its been a little while since the NBA has had a Dynasty

[165bows]

I like the add in that he's prob more capable than an empty chair but also there are some pretty clear warts on the table as well. Guy has a -250 career TS added and is a deeply inefficient scorer for a guy who has scoring as his primary value.

But DWhite has vouched for him as a good guy and teammate so I'm totally fine with him keeping Jay Scrubb's seat warm for now. But apparently he's got a 6'9" wingspan and isn't a total sieve on D and like people have said can get hot from deep so good on Brad.

All that said, a lot of guys have come here and been more efficient or hit career highs in three point shooting or overall efficiency so I won't rule that out either.

[SLCceltic]

I like the add in that he's prob more capable than an empty chair but also there are some pretty clear warts on the table as well. Guy has a -250 career TS added and is a deeply inefficient scorer for a guy who has scoring as his primary value.

But DWhite has vouched for him as a good guy and teammate so I'm totally fine with him keeping Jay Scrubb's seat warm for now. But apparently he's got a 6'9" wingspan and isn't a total sieve on D and like people have said can get hot from deep so good on Brad.

All that said, a lot of guys have come here and been more efficient or hit career highs in three point shooting or overall efficiency so I won't rule that out either.

We've seen many defensive improvements as well from players repped to be deficient

[shackles10]

Not eligible for a 2-way unfortunately. Although I don’t think he’d take it anyways.

Ironically I remember having read that comment by several posters in the thread but by the time I decided to post had forgotten that nuance.

Thanks for straightening out the Two Way issue.

You know some of these regulations are completely arbitrary. I don't see why we can't have a 6-year Two-Way Player?
For that matter, why only a 2nd Round pick/Un-drafted. By the time some of these guys pan out, a number of things have happened.

We're supposedly developing a Minor League. Let's go full tilt, and expand on that?

I don't disagree, but the flip side is what's preventing a team from selecting a guy as a flyer in the 1st round and sending a late lotto pick to the G-league on a 2-way if they didn't have the regulations? I'm guessing the NBAPA decided the limitations of 2-ways being 2nd round/undrafted and less than so many years of service was worth the protection to incoming 1st rounders and league veterans. Either way would benefit some guys and harm others and they chose this as the best case scenario for them. I could see it getting ugly with draftees refusing to workout for certain teams, forcing their way to others, or foregoing the NBA and playing overseas because the team that hold its draft rights only wants to offer the 2-way. The league never wants that to happen, whether it's a Steve Francis NBA draft night situation or a John Elway, Eli Manning NFL draft night situation.

[CelticFaninLBC]

Finally an upgrade over Jaylen.

[bigfoot_cryptozoology]

B Robb not expecting Walker to make the team...

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2024/08/mailbag-lonnie-walker-odds-of-making-celtics-roster-bench-rankings.html

What do you think Lonnie’s chances are of making the team? — Nick E

It’s probably not as high as people think and that’s largely a byproduct of the Celtics situation. There are financial incentives not to carry Walker on the roster since he would be costing the team millions more in tax penalties even on a veteran’s minimum deal. There is also the fact that the team could use some roster flexibility when it comes to their big man situation amid Kristaps Porzingis’ recovery. If someone else gets hurt in the preseason/early season, that spot may be needed for some reinforcements.


With all that said, the end of the Celtics bench could use some NBA-proven talent towards the end at the wing and backcourt, particularly if Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman are not ready for primetime yet. If Walker comes in and wins over Joe Mazzulla in training camp as a trusted bench option on nights the team is down bodies (Horford, Porzingis, etc.) maybe he earns a spot right away. It would take quite the performance to do that though in my opinion. I’d peg his odds of making the team around 30 percent.

[zoyathedestroya]

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[ParticleMan]

Still pretty amazed we could snag a guy like Lonnie on a E10 deal. Sure he has flaws but he's got legit NBA skills. With better discipline on offense and more commitment on defense he could be a solid player given his shooting and athleticism. This is coachable stuff, so maybe he is finally ready to be coached. If anyone can get something out of this guy it's Mazulla. He fits our style on O to a tee, and Joe is uncompromising on D.

The guy who should be most worried is Springer. If I had to choose between LW and Springer I'd probably choose Walker, he's more proven and entering his prime so could help us right away whereas I see Jaden as more of a project. We could save a lot of salary and tax in that swap. Of course we could in principle keep both, and that's our roster. Not the worst idea, since I don't think Scheierman and Watson are ready this year.

[Riverwalk2021]

Jordan Walsh makes Lonnie Walker look like prime Michael Jordan

Don’t tell me guys like Walsh, Scrubb, Baylor, or Springer are better bench options this season than Walker, especially considering his scoring ability fills a major need of the bench. None of those guys can create their own offense or a threat from 3 like Walker is right now. Sign him to a vet min and let the billionaires pay that chump change so we can improve our roster. Some really embarrassing takes by some Celtic podcasters who are really clueless about non-Celtic players

[Riverwalk2021]

Still pretty amazed we could snag a guy like Lonnie on a E10 deal. Sure he has flaws but he's got legit NBA skills. With better discipline on offense and more commitment on defense he could be a solid player given his shooting and athleticism. This is coachable stuff, so maybe he is finally ready to be coached. If anyone can get something out of this guy it's Mazulla. He fits our style on O to a tee, and Joe is uncompromising on D.

The guy who should be most worried is Springer. If I had to choose between LW and Springer I'd probably choose Walker, he's more proven and entering his prime so could help us right away whereas I see Jaden as more of a project. We could save a lot of salary and tax in that swap. Of course we could in principle keep both, and that's our roster. Not the worst idea, since I don't think Scheierman and Watson are ready this year.

Great point about Springer. His defense isn’t really needed. Walker fills a void off the bench with his explosive offense. The defense has to respect him and that opens up the floor even more. Guys like Springer, Brissett are essentially worthless on that end of the floor.

I think Walker will benefit from his connection with White, and it’s not like players can’t improve by being in a winning culture. The Spurs, Lakers and Nets were all dysfunctional or losing originations when Walker was there.

[165bows]

Disagree on the defense - if springer can just not hurt the offense he becomes a really valuable piece. We know he can sustain elite defense.

Walker frankly hasn’t shown at all in six years he can sustain a high level on either side of the ball outside of some random hot streaks. His career overall offensive production would crush the offense.

[celtxman]

Our guy just doesn't miss. Like at all. Another great move.

I've read the comments including from Celtics writers that Walker could easily be waived. I see this picture with Brad and know Walker's comnection with DWhite and I don't see it. I see him being on the Celtics.
The Celtics inquired about Walker before the trade deadline last season. This is more than a flyer IMO

[Curmudgeon]

It's up to Walker, really. He has the talent to make the team, but he has to show it in camp.

[sam_I_am]

Disagree on the defense - if springer can just not hurt the offense he becomes a really valuable piece. We know he can sustain elite defense.

Walker frankly hasn’t shown at all in six years he can sustain a high level on either side of the ball outside of some random hot streaks. His career overall offensive production would crush the offense.

At age 22 Walker averaged >10 ppg in 60 games in NBA and at age 22 Springer was in the G-league despite his supposed defensive ability. Walker has been a 10 ppg scorer every year since. The gap between their accomplishments is wide.

[165bows]

Disagree on the defense - if springer can just not hurt the offense he becomes a really valuable piece. We know he can sustain elite defense.

Walker frankly hasn’t shown at all in six years he can sustain a high level on either side of the ball outside of some random hot streaks. His career overall offensive production would crush the offense.

At age 22 Walker averaged >10 ppg in 60 games in NBA and at age 22 Springer was in the G-league despite his supposed defensive ability. Walker has been a 10 ppg scorer every year since. The gap between their accomplishments is wide.

I don’t actually agree with this. Sure Walker has had more minutes and opportunity but imo has been based on his profile/potential. He’s been a deeply negative producer offensively throughout his career so he’s got more minutes and on court record but those don’t really equate to accomplishments, not positive ones anyways.

Maybe for a Chicago level team that wants a play in berth but the measuring stick on this team is can you help sustain elite level performance of the team, on one end or both.

Like I said above, the only box ticked out of four chances for either one of them (if any at all) is Springer’s defense. The other three (Springer on offense, Walker on both ends) are big wide open question marks.

[31to6]

Our guy just doesn't miss. Like at all. Another great move.

I've read the comments including from Celtics writers that Walker could easily be waived. I see this picture with Brad and know Walker's comnection with DWhite and I don't see it. I see him being on the Celtics.
The Celtics inquired about Walker before the trade deadline last season. This is more than a flyer IMO

That picture is a photoshop, my friend, posted as a joke

[Dogen]

Disagree on the defense - if springer can just not hurt the offense he becomes a really valuable piece. We know he can sustain elite defense.

Walker frankly hasn’t shown at all in six years he can sustain a high level on either side of the ball outside of some random hot streaks. His career overall offensive production would crush the offense.

I'm fine with a microwave guy. It fills a need if one of our backcourt players is out, or if we need a bucket and Joe wants to try a different look for a matchup. Or if Hauser and Pritchard are cold.

The Celtics haven't had vet like that. If Lonnie is OK with no regular minutes and can come in and get hot every so often, it's positive development. We've seen from the Lakers that he doesn't shy away in big moments. He can be a catalyst to get the team on going on a run. We don't need him to sustain a high level, the random streaks are fine, and if he's not on, sit him.

Now, whether Joe is into having a "heat check" guy like that is another story. This may be exactly the reason he is on E10 to start, so that coach can get a sense of Walker's character.

[sam_I_am]

Disagree on the defense - if springer can just not hurt the offense he becomes a really valuable piece. We know he can sustain elite defense.

Walker frankly hasn’t shown at all in six years he can sustain a high level on either side of the ball outside of some random hot streaks. His career overall offensive production would crush the offense.

At age 22 Walker averaged >10 ppg in 60 games in NBA and at age 22 Springer was in the G-league despite his supposed defensive ability. Walker has been a 10 ppg scorer every year since. The gap between their accomplishments is wide.

I don’t actually agree with this. Sure Walker has had more minutes and opportunity but imo has been based on his profile/potential. He’s been a deeply negative producer offensively throughout his career so he’s got more minutes and on court record but those don’t really equate to accomplishments, not positive ones anyways.

Maybe for a Chicago level team that wants a play in berth but the measuring stick on this team is can you help sustain elite level performance of the team, on one end or both.

Like I said above, the only box ticked out of four chances for either one of them (if any at all) is Springer’s defense. The other three (Springer on offense, Walker on both ends) are big wide open question marks.

I don’t necessarily disagree with your assessment of Walker. I do recall seeing his talent on display and I think he could be an above average scorer off the bench in a limited role for a 9th or 10th roster spot. That said, the gap has more to do with everything Springer is not. I hope I’m wrong about Springer but I think that barring a huge step forward this off-season, his contract is here to trade.

[celtxman]

Our guy just doesn't miss. Like at all. Another great move.

I've read the comments including from Celtics writers that Walker could easily be waived. I see this picture with Brad and know Walker's comnection with DWhite and I don't see it. I see him being on the Celtics.
The Celtics inquired about Walker before the trade deadline last season. This is more than a flyer IMO

That picture is a photoshop, my friend, posted as a joke

I did wonder about that. Thanks for the information.
I do still believe that Walker will make the team. The Celtics already had their eyes on him when they might have had to give up something. The Celtics may have to make other tough decisions .
You have a different look to the bench while fortifying the core.
Or theyhave Walker come in, confirm that he can still play like he did against the Celtics last year. It will be fun to see.