Lonnie Walker IV Reportedly Finds Next Basketball Home After Celtics Cut
Lonnie Walker IV teased Tuesday he was nearing a decision on his basketball future after being waived by the Boston Celtics following a strong preseason.
Well, his choice on where he is headed next came to light Wednesday.
Walker’s agent told ESPN’s Shams Charania and Bobby Marks that the sixth-year guard will head to Lithuania to continue his basketball career as he signed with Zalgiris Kaunas of the Euroleague.
This doesn’t mean that Walker’s time in the NBA is completely over. He could be back in the league this season as Walker’s deal with Zalgiris Kaunas includes an NBA buyout clause until Feb. 18, per Charania.
Walker initially joined the Celtics on an Exhibit 10 deal in late August and performed well in the preseason in attempt to claim Boston’s 15th and final roster spot. He notched a balanced performance against the Philadelphia 76ers by turning in nine points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. The 6-foot-4, 204-pound guard followed that up with a 20-point effort against the Toronto Raptors.
The Celtics ultimately decided to cut Walker — presumably due to luxury tax purposes — and after going unclaimed, he opted bet on himself and declined going to Boston’s G League affiliate.
Walker averaged 9.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 35.6% from 3-point range during his six NBA seasons, which included four years with the San Antonio Spurs along with stops with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.