**Celtics Face Crucial Decision on Lonnie Walker IV’s Roster Spot**

As the Boston Celtics finalize their roster ahead of the regular season, the potential inclusion of Lonnie Walker IV presents a significant decision for the team. While some recent adjustments, such as the release of three players on Thursday, were straightforward, Walker’s situation offers more complexity.

Walker, a 6-foot-4 guard with six NBA seasons to his name, joined the Celtics in late August on an Exhibit 10 contract. His experience and skill in averaging double-digit points in half of those seasons made his signing unexpected but intriguing for Boston. Throughout the preseason, Walker seized his opportunities, vying for the fifteenth and final slot on the Celtics’ regular-season roster. The team now has until Saturday to determine Walker's fate—either integrating him into the roster or waiving him, which would allow other teams to pursue him or see him join Boston’s G League affiliate.

Should the Celtics decide to include Walker on the active roster, his Exhibit 10 deal will convert to a standard minimum contract. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, who was impressed by Walker's training camp performance, commended his work ethic and dedication to both defensive and offensive systems but remained mum on the final decision.

"He had a great training camp,” Mazzulla told reporters on Friday. "I liked his attitude. I liked his work ethic. I thought he really got acclimated to our defensive system, and I thought he really worked to study the offensive system and how he fit into that. I thought he took advantage of the time that he had, and that's really all you can ask for."

Walker practiced with the team on Friday and made notable contributions during the preseason. Despite limited playtime in games against the Denver Nuggets in Abu Dhabi, he made a significant impact in a decisive win over the Philadelphia 76ers, recording nine points, seven assists, four rebounds, and two steals in 25 minutes off the bench. His standout performance came against the Toronto Raptors, where he scored 20 points on 8-for-15 shooting, although he did not feature in Boston’s preseason finale.

Walker has demonstrated his capability to contribute at the NBA level, but it remains uncertain whether his future lies with the Celtics. The team’s impending decision will reveal whether Walker secures a place in Boston or potentially continues his career elsewhere in the league.