Celtics Could Face First Consequence Of Payroll With Preseason Standout

No team flexed its wallets quite like the Boston Celtics did this past offseason by making their vow to retain as much of the championship-seizing roster as possible, even at the cost of an over $500 million price tag — on a fraction of the roster.

Boston granted Jayson Tatum the largest contract ($315 million) signed in league history, retained Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman and also locked 2024 draft selections Baylor Scheierman and Anthon Watson — to a rookie contract and two-way agreement, respectively. That left a sliver of wiggle room for Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens to continue exploring unforeseen ways to improve the reigning champion cast, but that was all ‘Big Brain Brad’ needed evidently.

Following the draft, Stevens suggested his “green light” hadn’t been shut off by ownership, despite the growing financial complications of its payroll, and two months later that message proved itself true. Boston signed six-year guard Lonnie Walker IV to an Exhibit 10 contract, pulling off the non-blockbuster surprise of the offseason just when it seemed as though the Celtics had cornered themselves. Walker’s deal granted him a tryout during training camp and the preseason, allowing Boston to then decide what route to take before walking into Opening Night on Oct. 22.

Now, with a week before hosting the New York Knicks and raising Banner 18, the time has come for the Celtics to explore their options with Walker. The problem? Walker’s been a standout off Boston’s bench in preseason play, however, the dicey payroll situation that’s working to keep the team’s title window open could pave the way for a short-lived stint for Waker in Boston. Plus, it’ll allow teams — including Celtics rivals — to rush toward Walker and sign a fully guaranteed contract.

Walker, unsurprisingly, hasn’t performed like a traditional Exhibit 10 contract-caliber player — he’s done the opposite. The 25-year-old debuted for Boston over the weekend, scoring nine points with four rebounds, seven assists and two steals against the Philadelphia 76ers. With grace, Walker accepted the limited role and repaid the Celtics 24 hours later by scoring 20 points in 30 minutes as a starter in Boston’s win over the Toronto Raptors. Walker shot 8-of-15 from the field and knocked down four three-pointers to further strengthen his case as a must-have for the upcoming title defense bid.

His first impression in Boston, too, has been well received from within the organization.

“I think he’s been really good,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said postgame Saturday, per CLNS Media. “I think it’s an adjustment coming here. It’s a different style of basketball and I like his open-mindedness to learning. I like his patience. It’s funny, when you get a guy like him who’s been in the league for seven years; I saw some things today that he might not think are important or that other people won’t but are really, really important things, defensively or offensively.”

Although Walker’s shown signs of becoming the next impactful Stevens steal, the looming possibility of an abrupt departure could serve as the first costly domino effect of ownership sparing no expense. The Celtics re-signed Kristaps Porzingis to a $60 million extension before ever debuting in Boston and rewarded Jrue Holiday with a $135 million contract renewal before the playoffs officially commenced. Still, with every reason in the world to keep Walker aboard, the Celtics have a few options to consider to prevent saying goodbye to the combo guard himself.

Boston currently sits at a $3.75 tax multiplier for every dollar spent, per Spotrac’s Keith Smith, meaning if the Celtics keep Walker the multiplier spikes up to $4.25 which could ultimately cost the franchise $11 million. However, if Stevens were to entertain trading away a piece like guard Jaden Springer or Jordan Walsh, the team could make salary cap room to retain Walker. That opens the discussion for Stevens and the rest of the front office crew to balance immediate contributions versus long-term development.

Needless to say, the Celtics are on the clock.