Veteran guard Lonnie Walker has found a new home after being cut by the Celtics during training camp. The free agent will sign with Zalgiris Kaunas, a top-tier EuroLeague club a source confirmed to MassLive. Shams Charania of ESPN.com was first to report the deal. Walker also reportedly drew interest from Real Madrid.
Walker was signed by the Celtics to an Exhibit 10 deal back in August in hopes of making the 15-man roster. He had a strong showing in training camp, playing solid minutes for a couple of preseason games alongside Boston’s regulars. However, the team would have faced a steep tax penalty of nearly $9 million to keep him on top of his $2.1 million salary. Instead, the Celtics elected to keep their 15th roster spot open in order to avoid those penalties and maintain some roster flexibility for in-season dealing.
Walker spoke about the possibility of joining the G-League Maine Celtics during training camp and he would have been eligible for a $77,500 bonus if he played in Maine for 60 days. However, Walker did not join Maine for the start of their training camp this week and stands to earn millions in all likelihood with his EuroLeague deal.
- BETTING: Check out our MA sports betting guide, where you can learn basic terminology, definitions and how to read odds for those interested in learning how to bet in Massachusetts.
Michael Scotto of Hoopshype.com reports that Walker does have an NBA out in his deal for $450,000 until the trade deadline for teams interested in bringing him aboard midseason. The Celtics were reportedly gauging the trade value of Jaden Springer before final roster cuts and he could be a candidate to be dealt midseason if Boston wants to trim some salary (and luxury tax penalties).
“He’s a guy that was very excited to be here,” Brad Stevens said back in September about Walker. “I think his relationship with Derrick, he’s worked out with Jrue a lot in the summers, in previous summers. And I think that there was an eagerness to be around those guys and to try a new situation. And so, obviously he’s got a lot of talent, he’s done a lot of good things in the NBA and we’ll see how it fits and plays itself out.”
Walker, 25, averaged 9.7 points and 2.2 rebounds in 58 games for Brooklyn last season.
