Celtics Make Surprise Cut Ahead of Their Season Opener

After a dominant 2023-24 season the Boston Celtics, did not need to make many adjustments to their championship roster. However, GM Brad Stevens still made sure to add guard/forward Lonnie Walker IV prior to training camp.

Walker IV, aside from being an accomplished NBA rotation player, had chemistry with former San Antonio Spurs teammate Derrick White and had engaged in offseason workouts with guard Jrue Holiday. Even with all of these factors going his way, the team decided to part ways with Walker IV due to luxury tax implications.

"“Carrying Walker on a $2 million minimum salary contract still could have cost the team over $10 million if the team didn’t otherwise trim salary before season’s end.”"

- Chris Forsberg, NBC Sports Boston

By trimming the roster to fourteen, Brad Stevens is trying to maintain roster flexibility for future in-season acquisitions. Since taking over as the GM of the Celtics, Stevens has previously opened the year with a vacant roster spot for potential in-season moves. In the middle of last year, Stevens converted center Neemias Queta’s two-way contract to a standard contract.

Even though Walker IV has throughout his career grown accustomed to getting rotation minutes with his prior teams (San Antonio, Los Angeles, Brooklyn), the Celtics are already set on the wings with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser, and Jordan Walsh. As a result, it would have been a long shot for him to crack the Celtics lineup that already has on a consistent basis this upcoming season.

During his four preseason games with the team, Walker IV averaged 7.3 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 rebounds on 42.8%/31.2% splits from the field.

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