Lonnie Walker IV Says 'Opportunity' Brought Him To the Celtics

Lonnie Walker IV recently spoke with Bobby Manning of Celtics All Access on CLNS. The two talked about Walker's signing with the Celtics, how he will have to earn a roster spot in training camp, and how that role may be different in Boston than with previous teams. When Manning asked what brought him to Boston, Lonnie Walker IV said, "Well, opportunity obviously brought me to Boston. Free agency wasn't as planned and as expected... Brad Stevens had seen something in me and just gave me the opportunity to have the E10 and earn my spot."

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Lonnie Walker IV's Contract

As Lonnie Walker IV said in this interview, he is on an E10 contract with the Boston Celtics. This means that, under his one-year contract, the Celtics can waive Walker and send him down to play in the G-League. In training camp, Walker is focused on earning his spot on the Celtics 15-man roster. But when Manning asked Walker about the possibility of playing in the G-League, Walker was not averse to the idea. Walker said, "If there's a possibility of me playing in Maine, it's something I gotta do... I wasn't given the opportunity to look at multiple teams and get picked up or get a guaranteed contract... as a man, you gotta take it on the chin."

While playing in the G-League can be viewed as a demotion, Walker is still only 25 years old. He is still a young player with room to grow and improve, whether that comes in Boston or Maine. In his conversation with Manning, Walker was not spiteful over the E10 contract. Walker wants to work his way onto the Boston Celtics roster in training camp but is not against playing in the G-League.

Walker IV's Role

Lonnie Walker IV also spoke to Manning about his role on the Boston Celtics, stating, "What I bring to the team is additional scoring. Everyone knows, you know, I'm a microwave scorer. I can get to the rim; I can shoot the three-ball." This past season with the Brooklyn Nets, Walker averaged 9.7 points per game, shooting an efficient 38.4% from three off the bench. He has been an additional scoring option for the Nets, Lakers, and Spurs and is a solid perimeter shooter.

However, the Boston Celtics already have microwave scorers and three-point shooters off the bench in Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser. So, Walker knows he will also need to contribute in other ways. He told Manning, "You know, when you have such an offensive forefront, the little things come easy. I'm gonna get a ton of open threes, a whole bunch of back door cuts. Because, if I'm on the floor with J.T. (Jayson Tatum) or J.B. (Jaylen Brown) when I do earn that spot, or god willing I get that spot... the little details that make a good team a great team."

Lonnie Walker IV knows that on a championship team, doing the little things will make him stand out. The Celtics have an abundance of scorers and shooters, and while Walker does add to that, doing the things he said, like back door cuts and little details will go a long way.

Final Thoughts

Lonnie Walker IV may be on an E10 contract that could put him in the G-League, but he also has an opportunity. If Walker can prove himself in training camp and focus on the little details, then he can earn a spot on the Celtics 15-man roster. But, regardless of where he ends up, the NBA season is long. Injuries or other issues may occur where the Celtics need Walker to contribute. So, whether he plays in Boston or Maine, Lonnie Walker IV will have to keep working and be ready when his name is called.

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Article originally written by Peyton Townsend