Former Celtic Sounds Bitter About Preseason Release in New Comments

One of the more surprising developments in the NBA in the 2024 offseason was Lonnie Walker IV's free agency. The 25-year-old shooting guard signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Boston Celtics after spending most of the summer without a team. Following the preseason, he was waived. He then went on to sign with the Lithuanian team Zalgiris Kaunas of the Euroleague.

Many expected Walker to make the Celtics' 15-man roster or take one of the two-way spots. He was one of the better sixth men in the league with the Brooklyn Nets in the 2023-24 season and had a solid postseason outing with the Lakers in the year prior. It was surprising that a young and athletic scorer like Walker would be out of the NBA.

Perhaps, Walker himself was surprised by what transpired in the offseason. His latest comments per Eurohoops.net show some bitterness on Walker's part.

Making a comparison between the Euroleague and the NBA, the former Spurs standout said no one plays the wrong way in Europe and that it is "real basketball", adding, "It's not like you have 1 or 2 players who just take all the shots".

Lonnie Walker IV Takes Massive Shot at the NBA After Joining Euroleague

Criticizing the NBA for how much it is dominated by the superstars is nothing new. Calling it not real basketball, however, is a new one.

At least Walker is putting his money where his mouth is, as he has been one of the best scorers in the Euroleague this season. In seven games with his team, Walker is averaging 16.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 22.5 minutes per game while hitting over 44% of his threes.

A solid Euroleague season could bring Walker back to the NBA. Whether he would want to come back after these remarks remains to be seen.

More Celtics news and rumors: