Celtics Rumors: Boston Will Waive Intriguing Bench Option

NBA teams were busy Saturday figuring out their final roster spots, and the Celtics decided what to do with theirs.

Boston waived veteran guard Lonnie Walker IV, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. The 25-year-old signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the C’s in August and averaged 7.3 points in 16.4 minutes per game in the preseason. The Celtics would have incurred $11 million in salary plus tax penalties if he was on the roster, per Keith Smith of Spotrac. So that likely played a factor in their decision. Walker can join Boston’s G League affiliate in Maine if he isn’t signed by an NBA team.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t comment on Walker’s absence at Auerbach Center on Saturday but credited the guard for the work he put in over the summer.

“Came in with his head down and just wanted to work and wanted to have an understanding of what it is to play our style of basketball,” Mazzulla told reporters, per WEEI’s Justin Turpin. “I thought he did a good job of executing that in the time that he had.”

Boston signed wing Jordan Schakel to an Exhibit 10 contract Saturday, per Smith. However, he also will be waived and join the Maine Celtics. The Boston Celtics will start the season with 14 players, unless they sign someone else.