NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA β FEBRUARY 12: Lonnie Walker IV #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 12, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana, NBA Free Agency: Lonnie Walker IV is perfect for the Los Angeles Lakers. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
The signing of free agent Lonnie Walker IV was an underrated move by the Los Angeles Lakersβ front office as they looked to rebuild their roster.
The Los Angeles LakersΒ front office has had a distinctly different approach this offseason.
NBA Champions in 2020, the Lakers followed this up with a decidedly up-and-down season that resulted in a first-round playoff exit. As a result, the team hierarchy decided to go all-in with an assortment of veterans, headlined by the blockbuster deal that saw them land nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook. And while a variety of injuries took their toll, the makeup of the roster ultimately proved to be completely lopsided.
NBA Free Agency: Lonnie Walker IV is perfect for the Los Angeles Lakers
Carmelo Anthony, Avery Bradley, Trevor Ariza, Dwight Howard, and Wayne Ellington were all signed to one-year deals last summer, of which none at this stage have been offered a contract for the 2022-23 season.
Fast forward to the present, and Vice President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka has come armed with a completely new mindset. Instead, the front office has focused on young, up-and-coming players to fill out key spots in their rotation. Thus far, the most prominent name among the signings has been Lonnie Walker IV.
The 18th overall pick in 2018, Walker IV has played all four seasons and 208 career games thus far with the San Antonio Spurs. Following a two-season initiation into the league where he averaged just 14.2 minutes per game, over the ensuing two seasons, Walker demonstrated some of the qualities that tantalized the Spurs.
An elite athlete, Walker IV has already competed with a number of wings on the Spurs roster for consistent playing time and production. Since his arrival, the likes of DeMar DeRozan, Derrick White, Marco Belinelli, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, and Josh Richardson have been in direct competition with the 6β4β³ swingman at both the two and three spots.
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