By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Boston Celtics’ NBA off-season acquisitions aren’t done after signing explosive scoring guard Lonnie Walker IV to a one-year contract.
After a brief stint with the Brooklyn Nets, Walker IV, who was a former first-round pick selection of the San Antonio Spurs, will boost Boston’s already talented bench mob in their quest to defend their NBA championship title.
Walker IV proved that he could score the leather if given the opportunity, delivering several explosive offensive games while he was still a member of the Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Last season, the scoring machine averaged 9.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 58 total games played. Despite the inconsistent minutes with Brooklyn, Walker IV still displayed his ability to buy a bucket.
However, head coach Joe Mazzulla and the rest of the Boston front office are yet to finalize Walker IV’s role in their roster.
In his stops at San Antonio and Los Angeles, the athletic guard played as a sixth-man scorer who was always called from the bench if the starters played cold from the offensive field.
Walker IV started some games for the Nets but midway through last year’s season, Cam Thomas and Cameron Johnson became their final rotation in the backcourt.
Currently, Boston still has Payton Pritchard who would most likely fill in the first substitute in their guard rotation together with shooter Sam Hauser.
Walker IV will have the chance to team up with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, and Al Horford when the season kicks off this October.
