Former Lakers Playoff Star Expected To Be Best Fresh Piece For New Team
Making it a priority to retain as much of their 2023 playoff roster as possible, a couple of pieces slipped through the cracks from the purple and gold Western Conference Final run.
One of those former Lakers was guard Lonnie Walker IV who signed with the Nets over the summer in a move that could prove beneficial for both parties.
That's why the spotlight instead falls on Lonnie Walker IV, who was en route to a career campaign this past season before injuries and the Los Angeles Lakers' midseason makeover slowed his ascension. Over his first 31 outings, he pumped in an efficient 15.1 points per game on 45.9/39.3/87.5 shooting. The Nets need his scoring punch. Even with Mikal Bridges' emergence, Brooklyn wound up just 23rd in offensive efficiency after the trade deadline. Walker, an explosive slasher with an ignitable outside shot, can scratch that itch.
Walker IV's heroics in the playoffs secured a 3-1 lead against the Golden State Warriors after his impressive fourth quarter in Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena.
Though largely lost in the shuffle after the Lakers dealt for both D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley, Walker IV proved his worth in the beginning of the regular season with good play as a starter alongside Russell Westbrook in LA's backcourt.
Now in Brooklyn, the former Miami product will have his chance to provide key scoring off the bench for a Nets team going through changes of their own.
After shipping off Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline, new centerpiece Mikal Bridges led the Nets into battle as the sixth seed in the East.
Swept by the Sixers in the first round, Bridges could use all the help he can get and Walker will certainly provide that for his new home in New York.
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