The Boston Celtics underwent a preseason split with guard Lonnie Walker IV, but the reigning champs haven’t taken their eyes off the six-year veteran.

Walker agreed to a one-year, Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics in August just before training camp commenced. It was a low-risk, high-reward move by team president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, who with limited financial wiggle room, sought out ways to improve the team’s roster ahead of its title defense.

That didn’t work out.

Now, as Walker’s settled in with the Žalgiris Kaunas of the EuroLeague, the Celtics are among five “potential suitors,” according to NBA insider Marc Stein, to sign Walker and bring him back. The Philadephia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets are the others Walker is rumored to have garnered interest from.

It seemed like a perfect fit in Boston, especially once Walker took the floor for the Celtics in the preseason. The 26-year-old made four appearances, averaged 7.3 points on 42.9% shooting from the field and scored 20 points in 30 minutes during the team’s second-to-last preseason matchup against the Toronto Raptors. Stevens, seemingly, had the next depth fleece in the palm of his hands, however, once the luxury tax caught up to the Celtics it became time to cut ties with Walker — his league-minimum contract would’ve cost Boston over $10 million on top of its over $600 million offseason spree.

“This is a championship organization coming off a championship year,” Walker said of the Celtics during team media day, per NBC Sports Boston. “It means a lot (to put on this jersey), and you kind of come into here with the championship mindset, not skipping no steps, being to the best of your capability, you owe it to your teammates each and every day to be 100 percent and be prepared, mentally and physically.”

Boston city officials are gearing up to keep everyone safe during the First Night New Year’s Eve Festivities on Wednesday — and encouraging residents to keep safety in mind as well.

“This is going to be a great event as always, and we are here to support the folks throughout the city,” said BPD Commissioner Michael Cox at a press briefing Monday. “But we want to emphasize safety exists when we all work together. So if you see something, it’s really, really important that you say something to our department members and or dial in 911.”

Boston safety officials, including police, firefighters and EMS staff, will be out with extra numbers and easy mobility on New Year’s Eve during the 12 hours of First Night programming and beyond across the city.

City officials reminded residents that fireworks are illegal in Massachusetts, the possession and use of drones is prohibited around the First Night activities, and that people may not consume alcohol or marijuana in public spaces during the festivities.

BPD and MBTA transit police heads said there are no current “credible threats” on record pertaining to New Year’s Eve in Boston. Cox emphasized the officials have a “comprehensive safety plan” in place for the night.

Boston fire officials said they will be performing extra overcrowding checks at nightclubs and venues on New Year’s Eve and have fire prevention pyrotechnicians inspectors out checking on fireworks displays.

Transit officials said “consumption of alcohol and/or unruly behavior will not be tolerated on the MBTA” and also encouraged riders to download the free See Say app to easily report any health or safety concerns on the T.

“One, it’s free,” said MBTA Transit Police Chief Kenneth Green, arguing for use of the See Say app. “Two, it helps make our system safer.”

Anywhere around the city, officials emphasized, its important to look out for those around you.

“If you have any kind of medical problems, you see somebody who looks like they’ve overindulged or they’re laid out — even when the weather’s not brutally cold, when it’s wet and it’s cold and stuff, people can really succumb to hypothermia or the effects of it,” said Boston EMS Chief James Hooley. “So typically, similar to what Chief Green said, see something, say something.”

Originally Published: December 30, 2024 at 8:12 PM EST