OT: Lonnie Walker, Updates

[Triple M]

For a team that brought 95% of their rotation mins i like the idea of Lonnie bringing a different dimension. The Celtics are situated well in the current league’s landscape but what if the Celtics could anticipate where the league is headed play style wise. Because i could see more 3 guard looks beining emphasized around the league more. Lonnie already has chemistry with Jrue and White and was good in that 1 game with Pritchard could allow the Celtics to be more versatile.

[Fierce1]

Walker's ability to score in a number of ways will make the Celtic bench even better.

His ability to drive to the basket and score will be invaluable.

And his very good 3pt shooting is the icing on the cake.

[ConstableGeneva]

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8.5 hours to go to do nothing and Walker's officially a Celtic.

[JTMVP]

What does a one-year nonguaranteed contract mean? Does that mean that the Celtics could cut him at any time and only pay the contract up to that point? If so, then what is the reason for not going that route? Since luxury taxes aren't calculated until the end of the season, can't the C's cut him at any point beforehand to avoid the penalty? I mean, I'm in favor of trading Springer at the deadline to recoup the costs. But if they can't execute that trade, doesn't a nonguaranteed deal give them another way to avoid additional tax? Even if the contract becomes guaranteed at some point in the season, the Celtics would effectively be buying extra time from now until then to evaluate Walker. I don't get it.

[JTMVP]

To answer my own question- nonguaranteed deals become guaranteed on Jan 7 of that league year. So can someone PLEASE explain to me the disadvantage of signing Walker if they can cut him before Jan 7 with no luxury tax penalties? Why are people constantly referring to the additional $10M?? I just don't get it.

[brackdan70]

To answer my own question- nonguaranteed deals become guaranteed on Jan 7 of that league year. So can someone PLEASE explain to me the disadvantage of signing Walker if they can cut him before Jan 7 with no luxury tax penalties? Why are people constantly referring to the additional $10M?? I just don't get it.

Right. They could cut before Jan 7. The only downside to me is limiting flexibility by not keeping the spot open.

[brackdan70]

I spend way to much time thinking about the end of the roster lol.

[Dogen]

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8.5 hours to go to do nothing and Walker's officially a Celtic.

The sentiment, at least, seems overwhelmingly in favor of Lonnie Celtic #12 in the rafters.

It's like he's IT redux or something yet hasn't played a real game for the team yet.

With the option of reconsidering down the line (tax hit not until end of year, another move can be made mid-season), it seems like Walker will get that vet min at 5pm.

Not doing so puts a damper on the team a few days before opening night. The fans mainly are aligned with Walker. It's a good look for the team -- to the league, the city of Boston, the other players on the team, maybe to future owners -- that the current brass is committed to supporting the players toward another chip.

The vibe is definitely not abut "the 15th roster spot". This is a narrative that the fans will follow all season long. Once Walker has his "moment" in the reg season, it will codify his status as a part of the team's identity. There are not 9 (healthy) players better than him on the team.

Could be totally wrong of course, but from what I've seen so far, Walker -- and also Walsh -- are the two players creating the most emotional buzz. Of course, Joe is not driven by emotion or swayed by sentiment when making decisions about the rotation, but these two guys seem to be doing everything they can to prove that they will play within a defined role (yeah, I know Lonnie still has that hero ball gene in him).

See ya at 5pm ET!

[GoCeltics123]

Perhaps the buzziest 15th roster spot in the league resides in Boston. The champion Celtics don’t need to make any trades to keep Lonnie Walker for the regular season, as Boston has an open roster spot. But keep an eye on the Celtics moving Jaden Springer this year, maybe as late as the February trade deadline, to save north of $7 million in tax payments that would come with keeping Walker.

Jake Fischer

[celtxman]

To answer my own question- nonguaranteed deals become guaranteed on Jan 7 of that league year. So can someone PLEASE explain to me the disadvantage of signing Walker if they can cut him before Jan 7 with no luxury tax penalties? Why are people constantly referring to the additional $10M?? I just don't get it.

Right. They could cut before Jan 7. The only downside to me is limiting flexibility by not keeping the spot open.

I think we ALL have enough trust in Brad Stevens and management to make the right decision. That's why are all grasping to figure out why the Celtics wouldn't keep him. So that awesome 15th guy falls out of the sky before January 7th and Walker isn't really helping I have the answer. Cut Walker. If Walker is doing well, there are options like trades, waive and stretch etc so you keep him.
To me it isn't about Flexibility (also remember the Celtics easily got rid of Banton and Stevens with the benefit of seeing them before the deadline.) It certainly isnt about $10 million. I may be off but I think if Walker is released it is about enough playing time for Walsh.
Celtics management deserves tremendous grace whatever they do today. I would personally keep the player under team control till at least January 7th.

[Riverwalk2021]

LW4 is uber talented, smart and willing to work hard. Just needs to be around the right people and a winning culture. SA and Pop was finished when he got there, and the Lakers/Nets are both dysfunctional franchises.

Please announce that 3-year deal today. He's gonna be a great contributor to another Celtics' ship

[ConstableGeneva]

LW4 is uber talented, smart and willing to work hard. Just needs to be around the right people and a winning culture. SA and Pop was finished when he got there, and the Lakers/Nets are both dysfunctional franchises.

Please announce that 3-year deal today. He's gonna be a great contributor to another Celtics' ship

No 3-year deal to talk about. That would be illegal lol. Not even Brad Stevens can pull that off.

[JTMVP]

To answer my own question- nonguaranteed deals become guaranteed on Jan 7 of that league year. So can someone PLEASE explain to me the disadvantage of signing Walker if they can cut him before Jan 7 with no luxury tax penalties? Why are people constantly referring to the additional $10M?? I just don't get it.

Right. They could cut before Jan 7. The only downside to me is limiting flexibility by not keeping the spot open.

How would that limit flexibility? Up to 1/7, they can just cut him and sign someone else if they needed to.

[ConstableGeneva]

To answer my own question- nonguaranteed deals become guaranteed on Jan 7 of that league year. So can someone PLEASE explain to me the disadvantage of signing Walker if they can cut him before Jan 7 with no luxury tax penalties? Why are people constantly referring to the additional $10M?? I just don't get it.

Right. They could cut before Jan 7. The only downside to me is limiting flexibility by not keeping the spot open.

How would that limit flexibility? Up to 1/7, they can just cut him and sign someone else if they needed to.

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It wouldn't be the full $10M if it's non-guaranteed and he gets waived by 1/7 but Cs still have to shell out salary/tax for every day he's on the team. It's only a concern if money is a concern. Otherwise, they'd just sign and waive as many players as they wanted in-season.

[Fierce1]

No more Lonnie Walker for us.

[ConstableGeneva]

Walker to Maine? Unless he signs with someone else.

Y'all were so SURE he's gonna make the roster. Brad Stevens different. I still trust our SBOBO.

[Homerclease]

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Whelp there it is. Don’t like it but what can you do

[GoCeltics123]

Just a huge waste of time signing him imo

[London2Boston]

Damn. I felt like He was about to take our bench to a whole other level.

[Fierce1]

Looks like Walsh will be a rotation player now.