With the ambition to defend their Championship title next season, Celtics GM Brad Stevens has pulled off an unexpected move. Recently, Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed that the Boston side signed a one-year contract with free agent Lonnie Walker IV. Walker averaged 9.7 points and 38% (38.4 to be exact) 3p shooting last season with the Nets. The move from the defending Champions’ GM got praise from the community since Walker IV is a No.15 pick. Yet the Cs have seemingly not trusted his abilities, as per a big twist.

The shooting guard holds solid potential. However, The Athletic insider Shams Charania revealed unexpected details about the Cs’ offer. As per Charania’s sources, the Boston side has signed an Exhibit-10 contract with Lonnie Walker IV. It means the front office can waive the ex-Nets shooting guard, if needed, and make him play for its G-League affiliate in Maine. He’ll then be eligible for a bonus of up to $75,000 if he plays for more than 60 days in the G-League affiliate.

It’s quite surprising that the Celtics front office has tied Walker to an E10 deal since he was the one who once single-handedly shattered the Golden State Warriors‘ Championship ambitions!

Also, the experience Lonnie Walker holds within the league is significant, having played for teams like Spurs, Lakers, and Nets. The last contract he had in Brooklyn was a minimum contract of $2.3 million for a year. While the Cs have selected him as the candidate for the 15th spot, they still haven’t filled up the position. It means that GM Brad Stevens might be on the lookout for better candidates. He even signaled it in his July statement, “We have to determine what’s the best need for our team in that 15th spot.”

Nevertheless, putting a player like Lonnie on a training camp test is insane. He has more leverage than an average free agent and is worth much more than a two-way deal. Why? Let’s get you to one of the most memorable performances from the shooting guard.

When Lonnie Walker IV beat the masters at their own game at Crypto.com Arena!

A player who was once a regular starter, occasionally warming the bench, pulled off a miracle for the Lakers‘ 2023 postseason. He had displayed some flashes of his scoring skills to Darvin Ham in a game before. After being out of the scene for about a month because of a knee injury, the Lakers boss gave him a chance against the Warriors in Game 3. He racked up about a dozen points for his team while playing for 25 minutes. Ham was needed a scorer at the time, and Lonnie Walker IV emerged as a new hope.

Therefore, in Game 4’s close encounter, Ham trusted Walker in the fourth quarter. Fortunately, it paid off as the shooting guard racked up 15 points in the final quarter alone and this was a defining haul since the Lakers won the game with a close 104-101 scoreline. Everyone loves to save the day, and so did Lonnie Walker IV that day. “The greatest feeling you could ever, ever imagine. As a kid, this is something I’ve been dreaming of doing, “ he said post Game 4 win.

Not to mention, it was great saving a team with legends like LeBron and AD on the same teamsheet.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger