The latest on Lonnie Walker IV joining the Maine Celtics

The G League draft took place on Saturday. Making their first Finals appearance in franchise history, the Maine Celtics selected former LSU and University of Alabama at Birmingham star Eric Gaines ninth overall.

With the 9th pick in @nbagleague draft, we selected Eric Gaines. pic.twitter.com/IhmU0oMAhB

— Maine Celtics (@MaineCeltics) October 26, 2024

Maine then used the 21st selection to add former G League Ignite standout London Johnson.

Ex @gleagueignite star and NBA draft prospect London Johnson heads to @maineceltics with number 21 in the 2024 NBA G League draft! pic.twitter.com/HBaU1dcq53

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) October 26, 2024

They used their final pick to add Scottie Pippen’s nephew, Kavion, with the 54th overall pick.

With the 54th pick in @nbagleague draft, we selected Kavion Pippen. pic.twitter.com/VCTdeEZ7Jd

— Maine Celtics (@MaineCeltics) October 26, 2024

Immediately after the draft, Maine released its training camp lineup. He was absent Lonnie Walker IV. This shouldn’t be a surprise.

Teams have six years of NBA scouting reports on the former first-round pick. Its strengths and weaknesses are well documented.

If Walker were to go to the G League, which one he said he was willing to do itAnything other than tightening up against the Celtics would have dashed his hopes of an NBA contract. Even a star-studded career wouldn’t help his cause. And everything beyond that hurts.

“Honestly, going into the offseason, I was hoping there was a possibility of getting a guaranteed contract or something like that. I feel like I deserved it,” Walker told the Boston Celtics on SI during training camp.

“I leave it all to God. I’m going to work hard every day on the court and no matter what the chips are down, it’s still there. But most of the time I don’t worry too much about what I can’t control, being on the court giving my all and giving my all for my teammates. Sooner or later, opportunity must meet preparation.

Walker is right; is on the NBA roster. However, the more punitive nature of the league’s current collective bargaining agreement and the abundance of talent within the Association, which means expansion can’t happen fast enough, puts the 25-year-old shooting guard at his best in an unenviable position.

It’s anyone’s guess what the future holds for the six-foot-four guard. However, recently Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report he stated that after spending training camp with the Celtics, his next NBA opportunity could come with the reigning champions.