Lonnie Walker, a veteran guard recently cut by the Celtics during training camp, has found a new home with EuroLeague club Zalgiris Kaunas. Despite drawing interest from Real Madrid, Walker ultimately signed with Kaunas. The Celtics had signed Walker to an Exhibit 10 deal in August, but decided against keeping him on the 15-man roster due to financial considerations. Walker had shown promise during training camp, playing well in preseason games with the team’s regulars. He had the option to join the G-League Maine Celtics for a bonus but chose to pursue his EuroLeague deal instead.
According to reports, Walker’s EuroLeague deal includes an NBA out until the trade deadline for teams interested in signing him midseason. The Celtics had reportedly considered trading Jaden Springer before final cuts, which could still be a possibility to relieve salary and luxury tax penalties. Walker, who averaged 9.7 points and 2.2 rebounds for Brooklyn last season, was excited about the opportunity with the Celtics, but ultimately found a better fit with Kaunas. Coach Brad Stevens praised Walker’s talent and past performance in the NBA, and expressed optimism for his future in the EuroLeague. Walker, who is 25 years old, will look to continue his professional career in Europe after a brief stint with the Celtics.
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