Ex-Celtics Guard Reportedly Rejoins NBA, Signs With Boston Rival

It was a race against the clock for ex-Boston Celtics guard Lonnie Walker IV to land an NBA contract and with 24 hours left, the 26-year-old succeeded.

Walker signed a two-year, $3.7 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Lithuania’s BC Žalgiris signed Walker following his brief preseason run with the Celtics to a contract that included an opt-out clause, which was set to expire hours following Walker’s agreement with the Sixers.

The Celtics initially signed Walker in October to an Exhibit 10 contract, which is typically reserved for journeymen players and under-the-radar hopefuls battling to prove their worth. Walker didn’t fit that profile but due to Boston’s ongoing battle with the second apron — meaning the franchise is subjected to a salary cap limit — the Celtics couldn’t commit to a guaranteed contract with the seven-year veteran. So while nothing was guaranteed, including Walker’s roster spot, the reigning champions sat back and watched him blossom amid his short-lived run with the C’s.

Walker made four preseason appearances, averaging 7.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists, shooting 42.9% from the floor. With 16.4 minutes per game to show out, Walker wasn’t granted much playing time but the crafty, playmaking guard still garnered notable attention from the team and fans when given a chance. Walker scored 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting against the Toronto Raptors during Boston’s second-to-final preseason matchup, making a strong case to stay aboard. But it wasn’t enough.

“He had a great approach,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said after Walker’s release, per CLNS Media. “A guy that’s been around the league a long time and has seen different environments. 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 on both ends of the floor. I thought he did a good job of executing that in the time that he had. I thought he did a great job being patient, executing the role that we needed him to and I thought he did a good job in the film room, trying to understand our system on both ends of the floor.”

Walker now joins a struggling Sixers franchise, currently undergoing an ugly, setback-filled campaign. Philadelphia entered the All-Star break as the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference at 20-34, unable to rely on veteran stars Joel Embiid and Paul George. Walker should have no issue netting opportunities to work alongside starting guard Tyrese Maxey as the Sixers turn the page.