Ex-Celtics Preseason Standout Details Perfectly-Timed NBA Return

Former Boston Celtics guard Lonnie Walker IV conquered a tight deadline to make his long-awaited return to the NBA late Tuesday night.

Walker signed a two-year, $3.7 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers just before the buzzer after playing 33 games for Lithuania’s Zalgiris Kaunas of the EuroLeague. Just a few hours remained granted from Walker’s opt-out contract clause for NBA teams to extend contract offers before the 26-year-old would have to spend the rest of the season in Lithuania. However, Walker’s patience paid off.

“Got the call at 10 pm. 2 hours before my clause ended. Still processing it all but truly blessed, humbled, and excited for this next chapter AGTG,” Walker published Wednesday on X.

Following this month’s trade deadline, it was expected that Walker would at least receive an offer considering the low cost and availability. Walker also left a solid impression following his four-game run with the Celtics in the preseason, which would’ve landed him an Opening Night roster spot had Boston not been restricted by the luxury tax — Walker’s Exhibit 10 contract would’ve cost the C’s over $10 million. He averaged 7.3 points with 1.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists, most remembered for dropping 20 points on the Toronto Raptors during Boston’s second-to-final preseason matchup.

The Celtics waived Walker in October, just before the start of their regular season.

With no offers on the table at the time, Walker had no other choice but to bolster his market value overseas. He averaged 13.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and two assists, shooting 40% from 3-point range on 5.8 attempts, garnering interest from teams, including the Denver Nuggets before the Sixers reached out with an offer.

Philadelphia, amid its nightmarish 20-34 campaign as the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference, capitalized on the opportunity to add Walker.

The signing won’t make a difference to the Sixers in terms of their playoff chances, but it’ll help Walker get some serious playing time with Philadelphia stars Joel Embiid and Paul George sidelined until further notice. Walker will provide another veteran scoring option paired alongside Tyrese Maxey, capable of playmaking, knocking down the three and giving the Sixers a spark, whether coming off the bench or in the starting lineup.

Even before landing the Sixers gig, Walker opened up about his optimistic mindset and ironically looked at now-teammate Guerschon Yabusele for inspiration.

“The NBA isn’t going anywhere — I’m still young. I can return next year, in two or three years,” Walker said, per Basketnews.com. “Look at Yabusele, who’s back in the NBA and thing of that nature. My goal is to keep growing and be prepared both physically and mentally for any future scenario.”

The Celtics and Sixers play twice more, including on Thursday night, to end their regular-season series.